AS THE festive season looms on the horizon, takes steps to ease your gift-buying headaches with some choice motoring stocking fillers.

With such a big chunk of the UK’s adult population owning or having access to a car, the world of motoring-related accessories, gadgets and novelty items presents a huge untapped resource for the shrewd gift buyer.

To bring some order to the proceedings we’ll be dividing the ideas into four general categories: Functional, Novelty, Fun and Pricey items have been loosely grouped together and, following that, a few good places to extend your present search have been included.

NOVELTY

Tech-Tronics can cater for the person who needs to activate any electrical component in their car remotely, though quite why anyone would need do this is not so clear.

It’s probably a piece of impress-your-friends equipment rather than a must-have motoring tool but it will make a perfect gift for the show-off in your household and all at less than £20. (0161 8726275 / www.tech-tronics.net).

Knowing where you’re going is an important part of driving for most people so an in-car compass might be an appropriate present for the directionally-challenged driver.

The chromed-up offering from Polco is rather fetching for about £30 (Custom Accessories: 01980 676400).

If your recipient’s sense of direction doesn’t require any artificial assistance perhaps their timekeeping could, and the Parking Timer Keyring can do the job.

Programme in the amount of time you’ve paid for at the meter and it will alert you when you have five minutes remaining. (BoysStuff: www.boysstuff.co.uk / 0870 7452000).

FUNCTIONAL

Security is always a good idea and if you come up with a present that stops the recipient’s car being stolen, you can justifiably expect an entire chapter dedication in their good books. Steering locks, wheel clamps and security posts are all effective and easily available from companies like Autolok (www.autolok.co.uk or call 0161 6248171).

Mobile phones have become commonplace in many cars and the associated hands-free kits, holders and chargers make good inexpensive presents. (BoysStuff: www.boysstuff.co.uk / 0870 7452000).

Failing that, there’s the usual windscreen scrapers, polishes and cleaning products offered at petrol stations or your local Halfords (0845 7626625).

FUN

Anyone who drives around with the classic nodding dog perched agreeably on their parcel shelf might like to update their image with the Dancing Elvis.

This jumpsuit-clad replica of the king performs the trademark Presley shakes and gyrations to keep other road users amused. All for under £8 (www.speeding.co.uk).

For children (and adults reliving their childhood) radio control cars or slot car racing sets are guaranteed to turn your living room into a high-speed raceway.

Attempts at crossing the floor carrying a plate of turkey sandwiches are not advisable unless you’re certain all the vehicles are confined to the pits. (The Hobby Company: 01525 385798).

PRICEY

Perhaps someone you know lives in constant fear of the speed camera and spends their motoring life peering behind road signs or scanning the hedgerows. In exchange for about £350 the Geodesy will put a stop to that.

This small dashboard mounted box delivers an audible and visual warning as you approach a speed camera giving you a chance to regulate your speed safely (Morpheous 0870 2401702).