More than 130,000 drivers were slapped with penalty charge notices for failing to pay the new Dart Charge in December alone, equating to more than 4,000 a DAY.

The Highways Agency also admitted debt collectors were chasing payment from more than 18,000 foreign drivers who had yet to cough up.

But bosses say drivers are starting to get to grips with the new payment system introduced on November 30, with more than 90% of chargeable journeys now accounted for.

But they are still chasing charges from more than 18,716 foreign drivers through a European debt recovery firm.

In the scheme's first month, a total of 130,306 penalty charge notices were dished out to motorists - amounting to 4,203 a day - and 73,898 payments were then received.

Highways Agency project director Nigel Gray said: "These figures show drivers are getting to know and understand Dart Charge, and is that our approach of offering drivers an extended period to pay any vehicle’s first crossing charge is getting the right results.

"The vast majority of drivers are paying Dart Charge and each day this continues to rise.

"In particular, it’s great that well over half a million drivers have registered for a Dart Charge account and are benefitting from discounted crossings.

"This means that in many cases drivers are paying less to use the Crossing now than before Dart Charge was introduced.

"I urge anyone who uses the Crossing more than a couple of times a year to sign up for an account and benefit from savings."

Dart Charge was introduced after the removal of the toll booths. More than 570,000 accounts have now been registered.

Stories you might have missed

Released prisoners collapse after 'taking legal highs'

Tributes pour in for engineer killed in crash

Police probe death of 13-year-old pupil

Ram raiders target village post office