FINES, driving licence penalty points and even court appearances are set to be doled out to drivers in Blackburn and Darwen who are found to have cars with poor tyres.

A safety campaign has been launched by Blackburn with Darwen Council with the aim of forcing home the message that illegal tyres can cost lives.

Police officers will be setting up roadside checks throughout the borough to check the state of tyres, while council officers spent the weekend carrying out free checks on vehicles.

The council's road safety unit worked with Kwik Fit and the Tyre Industry Council to check cars' tyre tread, oil, water, lights and windscreen wipers for free.

Now, anyone caught at police road checks with illegal tyres will face fines and penalty points on their licence. More serious vehicle defects could result in a court appearance, a council spokesman warned.

It is hoped the threat of prosecution will prompt people to check the safety of their cars before the winter sets in, and, as a result, reduce accidents.

Executive Member for Regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council, Coun Ashley Whalley, said: "It is important people take these measures seriously, and prepare their vehicles for the wintry conditions."