The operation, organised as part of the Summer Nights campaign, saw officers from Lancashire Constabulary's Motorway Unit join forces with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency(VOSA) to conduct a vehicle check site at Morecambe Football Club.

Five cars were seized immediately because of mechanical defects while another two were taken off the road as the driver had no insurance.

Seven vehicles were handed delayed prohibition notices for more minor mechanical defects and five penalty notices were handed out for offences including no excise licence, no MOT and incorrect tinted windows.

PC Dave Collins said: "The punishment for driving with no insurance is severe.

"The vehicle is seized and there is a £105 recovery fee plus daily charges. The driver will also get a fixed penalty notice of a £200 fine and six penalty points.

"Drivers must learn that with the technology the motorway and road policing units now have on board their patrol vehicles it is so easy for them to be detected driving with no driving licence, no insurance, no test certificate or no tax.''