Brits planning to head off on holiday this summer have been advised to carry out essential maintenance and checks on their vehicle before embarking.

Drivers using their car to head off on their travels should examine their tyres to ensure they have the proper thickness of tread and do not have any splits or tears that could ultimately lead to a puncture.

Stuart Jackson, chairman of TyreSafe, commented: "Just a few minutes spent inspecting the vehicle's tyres, including any spares, can save a lot of time and hassle later on if there is a tyre-related incident."

Mr Jackson's comments follow the publication of data from the AA, which showed the organisation attended 57,000 call outs during last summer for tyre-related issues.

According to the latest figures from the Ministry of Justice, almost 10,000 Brits were convicted last year for tyre-related driving offences – although this figure does not take into account the number of roadside cautions issued by police officers across the country.

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Posted by Sarah Godfrey