A driver had their vehicle seized while another was fined £300 in a police operation to stop illegal scrap metal dealing.

Kent Police and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council enforcement officers discovered the motorists yesterday while making checks on vehicles thought to be carrying waste for recycling.

During the operation, near Old Hay in Paddock Wood, a driver of a faltbed Ford Transit was stopped with no licence for carrying or transferring waste and was fined £300.

Officers then seized another flatbed Transit after checks showed the driver had no insurance or driving licence.

Inspector Richard Pringle said: "Legislation such as the introduction of the 2013 Scrap Metal Dealers Act has made it much harder for people to sell stolen metal in recent years and helped reduce the number of metal thefts in the county. Enforcement action also continues to be a vital tool, in deterring metal crime.

"By ensuring the majority of drivers are adhering to the appropriate legislation, we can also identify unscrupulous traders whose activities may be linked to thefts of metal from businesses, churches and schools."

The joint effort from police and council officers follows checks in the same area last month.