A HIGH-profile Worcester rugby player became one of the first motorists to fall foul of a police crackdown on car tax dodgers.

Worcester Warriors fly-half Tommy Hayes was caught driving without car tax by officers in their campaign on the city's roads yesterday .

Mr Hayes, aged 30, was one of eight motorists ordered to pay the £80 release fee to let him use his car after it was clamped.

As well as a fine, drivers have to pay an extra £120, which will be refunded when they buy a valid tax disc.

Andrew Thomas of the DVLA said the blitz had been successful.

He said: "It's a fortnight-long campaign throughout the West Mercia area but even on the first day we have clamped eight vehicles.

"Three motorists paid their fines straight away but another five vehicles have been left unclaimed which means we can crush them if the fines are not paid within 14 days.

"DVLA teams work with the police who spot vehicles without a tax disc, pull them over and clamp them at the roadside.

"The teams also walk around the streets looking for unlicensed vehicles.

"It's mainly about road safety because we often find that vehicles which don't have a licence don't have an MoT or insurance either and this is a big bugbear for the public."

John Brain, director of Rugby at the Worcester Warriors, said neither the club nor Mr Hayes would comment on the player's fine.

A Freephone number has been set up for people to report vehicles on public roads that are not displaying a valid tax disc.

Callers should collect as much information as possible about the vehicle and ring the DVLA in confidence on 08000 325202.