DRIVERS of smoky commercial vehicles in Darlington are being warned to clean up their act or face being shopped.

An initiative brought in by the Vehicle Inspectorate urges everyone to do their bit for the environment by reporting commercial diesel vehicles pumping out excessive exhaust smoke.

At a meeting of the public protection and community partnerships scrutiny committee, members backed the smoky vehicle hotline in the hope it would urge persistent offenders to come clean.

The scheme covers all diesel vehicles being used for business purposes and includes taxis buses, lorries, vans and cars. But councillors are also keen to hear about any bus or lorry seen with its engine running while parked.

Coun David Buckle, who worked for Cummins Engines for 22 years, said it was a myth that more emissions were produced by re-starting an engine.

"Most of the vehicles that cause the pollution in the town centre are buses and their emissions are tested regularly," he said.

"But the problem is that they leave their engines running while standing around.

"It is a load of garbage that they need to keep them running to prime engine systems. They keep them on for the same reason as car drivers - it keeps the interior heater going."

Private motorists are not off the hook. They too are being urged to do their bit.

Mr Keith Atkinson, head of the environment regulatory services, gave the following advice.

"Regular car servicing is vital. If you maintain your vehicle, emissions will generally be within the legal limits. And if you are going to be stationary for more than a minute, switch off your engine."

Callers ringing the hotline will be asked four questions:

l Vehicle registration number;

l Type of vehicle;

l Date, time and place the vehicle was seen;

l Name of firm operating the vehicle.

Once a call is received, the Vehicle Inspectorate will investigate. It has legal powers to prohibit use and enforce repair work.

The hotline number is 0113 288 7818.