A scheme targeting unlicensed heavy good vehicles in the Thames Valley region has been launched.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, together with the Vehicle Inspectorate, are tightening the net on heavy goods operators who evade excise duty.

It is estimated there are about 580 unlicensed HGVs in the region, with a resulting revenue loss of £1.1m.

Enforcers will be at Vehicle Inspectorate testing stations, checking that all HGVs turning up for their annual test have a valid tax disc.

Haydn Madoc, DVLA head of enforcement, said: "Honest HGV operators who regularly pay their road tax are fed up with seeing this hard core who continually dodge payment."