A CRACKDOWN on fly-tipping and motor offences crackdown in the Cotswolds has been hailed a success with action being taken against 20 people.

The operation held on Tuesday near Siddington resulted in 70 vehicles being stopped and checked in the multi-agency exercise.

It was organised by Cotswold District Council and included Gloucestershire and Wiltshire police, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA), the Environment Agency and HM Revenue & Customs' Road Fuel Testing Unit.

Among the offences, two drivers were fined £500 for illegally using red diesel as fuel, five vehicles were issued with rectification notices for tachograph and tyre offences and a car was seized as the driver did not have a valid licence.

Scott Williams, CDC waste manager, said all the agencies involved had been delighted with the success and planned to repeat the exercise in the future.

Insp Steve Williams, of Cirencester police, added: "Multi-agency operations such as this one are extremely effective in tackling a wide range of issues.

"Vehicles that are driven on public roads by unqualified drivers, or in an unroadworthy condition, can cause collisions, injuries and even death.

"This operation gave us an opportunity to take those drivers and vehicles off the roads and reinforce the road safety message to members of the public."