Seven vehicles have been taken off the road after they were found not to be fit, in a police stop check.

The drivers were banned from using them until they were fixed, after being stopped in St Michael's Road, Sittingbourne, on Saturday.

Defective tyres and an unsafe wheel arch were some of the defects.

A further four motorists were issued with warnings for using a phone, driving with a faulty tyre, driving with no insurance and having no seatbelt on.

The operation involved Special Constables joining forces with neighbourhood officers and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

Inspector Richard Bushell from the Swale Community Safety Unit said: "Volunteers, in particular the Special Constabulary, play an important role in keeping Kent safe as is shown by this work.

"All drivers have a responsibility to ensure their vehicle is roadworthy before their journey starts.

"Failure to ensure your vehicle is roadworthy may lead to a criminal offence being committed or someone suffering a serious injury."

The reports will be referred to Kent Police’s Central Processing Unit, which will determine an appropriate form of enforcement action which can vary from a driver training course to a fixed penalty notice or charge.

DVSA enforcement manager, Andy Scott, said: "DVSA’s priority is to protect everyone from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

"Working in partnership with Kent Police helps us more easily target those dangerous vehicles and remove them from the road.

"We’re all busy this time of year, but keeping your vehicle safe to drive should always be a priority, if you don’t you could face penalties or even worse, cause an accident."