Serious vehicle defects uncovered

Almost half of the vehicles stopped by police during random checks in Dorset had defects or were unsafe.

The spot checks on 42 vehicles were carried out on the A31 at Ashley Heath, near Ringwood, on Sunday.

One driver was arrested for driving while disqualified and 11 vehicles were taken off the road for offences such as faulty brakes and defective tyres.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: "The fact that 48% of the vehicles stopped had problems is quite alarming."