Locals have scoffed at a Kent council forced to pay £260 after having one if its vehicles clamped by government authorities.

The small van belonging to Folkestone and Hythe District Council was immobilised by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

The action was taken because of unpaid tax on the vehicle, which was parked in South Street, Hythe.

Richard Sharp, who lives in the street, shared a photo of the Peugeot on the Hythe Residents Group page on Facebook.

He wrote: "This Folkestone and Hythe District Council van has been clamped by the DVLA in South Road because it is untaxed and has been untaxed since 1 July 2022.

"The insurance is therefore invalid.

"Also today Folkestone and Hythe District Council have been placing stickers everywhere telling dog owners that if they don't follow the law regarding dogs on leads you will be fined up to £1,000."

Mr Sharp explained he had checked the tax expiry date on the DVLA website.

Another commentator, Serena Nurse, said she had seen a notice stuck on the van windscreen saying it was untaxed.

Dozens of comments have been left on the post, with a number of people expressing astonishment and mocking the council.

Graham Clarke quipped: "They have appointed a new fleet controller, Ms. L Truss, she's on a 49-day trial period so please cut her some slack."

Claire Day added: "Presumably FHDC will be fined, rather than the employee (the driver), which means we the residents pay the fine."

Dave Jones commented: "What a waste of council tax money - they have a fleet of vehicles so how many more?

"Someone will be suspended. They hold an operators licence for the fleet so they should have a fleet manager. Someone is not doing the job."

Morag Waghorne said: "Outstanding. I feel for the poor minion in the office who forgot to do it."

A £260 clamp release fee was paid by the council after its officials learned about the van being immobilised.

The van is now covered until October 1 next year, and its MOT is also valid until September 20, according to the DVLA website.

A spokesman for FHDC said: "The tax was paid as soon as this was brought to our attention and we are investigating why there was a lapse in the renewal process.”