MOTORISTS are being given the chance to save their lives with the help of the humble 20p coin.

Middlesbrough Council's road safety team will demonstrate how inserting a coin into the tread grooves of a vehicles tyres and checking if the rim of the coin is covered by the tread gives a good indication as to whether tyres are still safe and legal.

The lifesaver in your pocket campaign has been launched by TyreSafe, a not-for-profit organisation which highlights the dangers of defective and worn tyres.

Tomorrow and Thursday staff will be at Captain Cook Square Car Park and at Zetland Car Park to give out leaflets and handy key-ring tyre checkers.

Motorists with worn or defective tyres could face a maximum of five penalty points and a fine of up to 2,500.

Lynn Hepworth, road safety officer, said: "Although today's cars are packed with safety features, all of them rely on the one part of the vehicle that touches the road - the tyres. Carrying out the 20p test takes seconds and could save your life."