CAR tax cheats have a new enemy to dodge - state-of-the-art Stingray cameras are coming to the two counties.

The cameras - which automatically read number plates and check road tax has been paid - are part of a major clampdown by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA

They will be in use in Herefordshire and Worcestershire from Monday, March 17.

Mobile wheelclamping squads and the West Mercia police will also lend support by checking licences, insurance and MoTs by the roadside.

The project has been initiated in a bid to recover almost £3m of public money lost as a result of the 24,000 unlicensed vehicles in the two counties.

"The money should have been paid to the Government, who would then distribute the £2.8m between hospitals, schools and so on," said John Moore, campaign spokesman for the DVLA.

"The issue is also one of public safety. We are taking a hard line with anyone who drives an unroadworthy vehicle and we are making no exceptions and accepting no excuses."

In addition to being clamped and reported to the police, road tax cheats will face fines of up to £1,000 for a car or motorcycle and £23,000 for a Heavy Goods Vehicle.

And, if a car is clamped and later unclaimed, the DVLA will order it to be crushed within 14 days.

The Stingray cameras, which have been successfully used in other areas of the country, represent an advance in policing technology.

"We can now catch vehicles while they are on the move," said Mr Moore. "Previously, we had to rely on police or traffic wardens examining stationary vehicles but the digital camera can do the job at speed."

Unlike speed cameras, Stingrays do not run out of film and are portable so are easily moved.

They will also be able to register cars travelling at more than 100mph.

"Honest motorists are infuriated at having to subsidise road tax cheats and it is a constant source of resentment," said Terry Barnard, head of enforcement for the DVLA.

However, the scheme is not intended to be a stealth operation, and a series of advertisements featuring the original Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car will remind motorists to tax their vehicles.

"We want people to tax their cars beforehand rather than catch them after the 17th," said Mr Moore.

"But if they don't, then we will take a very hard line."