Officers from North Yorkshire Police's Road Policing Group teamed up with colleagues from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) to carry out the road-side checks which took place in the main area of town between 6pm and 10.30pm.

In total 33 vehicles were stopped and directed to Langborne Road car-park where vehicle inspectors from VOSA carried out a detailed inspection of each car.

Three were immediately seized and taken off the road, including one for not having any insurance, one for using red diesel and one vehicle which had three defective tyres and defective steering.

Ten drivers were given prohibition notices and two were given immediate prohibition notices.

Sgt Neil Campbell said: "I find it extremely disappointing that we have found so many seriously defective vehicles in one place and in such a relatively short space of time.

"A growing concern among officers is the use of tinted film to darken a vehicle's windows.

"We found a number of drivers are placing the film on their front driver and passenger windows.

"This does not allow the correct amount of light through and restricts the view from the vehicle, particularly at night, putting vulnerable road users at extreme risk.

"These checks will be a regular feature in our continuing efforts to reduce casualties on the county's roads.

"A defective vehicle could cost you your life or the life of someone else, it is simply not worth taking the risk."

The checks which formed part of the forces ongoing road safety initiative, Operation Anvil, supported by the 95 Alive Road Safety Partnership.

A police spokesman said the move was in response to concerns raised by the local community about the manner of driving and roadworthiness of vehicles in the area.

Among the penalty notices given, four were for vehicles having illegal tinted windows, four for drivers not wearing a seatbelt and four for mobile phone offences.