A MORECAMBE man has had his car confiscated by police following two 'yellow card' warnings.

The car, a black Citroen Saxo, was taken away by bobbies after the driver, who was not wearing a seat belt, was caught driving without due care and attention.

The man, who police have not named, is the first local victim of new police powers.

He was given his first yellow card by an officer in Heysham in May - and got the red for a second foul this month.

PC Paul Regan, of Morecambe police, says that anyone seen driving in an anti-social manner around the area could now face the same fate.

He says: "During the summer months officers spent a lot of time talking to and advising groups of motorists about their behaviour and we had an excellent response.

"But there are still motorists out there who continue to flout the laws - and we will use the powers available to us to show that we will not tolerate it."

Pc Regan points out that if police have to stop and warn a driver about his behaviour for a second time they now have the power to seize his or her vehicle.

Owners can then reclaim their cars only by paying £105 plus a £12 per day storage fee.

* POLICE have had the power to seize vehicles in specifically defined circumstances under Sections 59 and 60 of the Police Reform Act since January this year.

It applies where the offender is breaking the law either by driving on road without due care or inconsiderately, or driving off-road without lawful authority and likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public.