Police officers joined forces with Scarborough Council, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and HM Customs and Excise to inspect vehicles arriving at the Graham School prom night at the Spa and Scalby School's event at the Royal Hotel.

Out of eight stretch limousines which were checked during the operation last Friday, one was issued with a fine for bald tyres and officers were pleased the other seven had no defects.

Two vehicles were issued with an immediate prohibition order and three drivers received a fixed penalty notice for the use illegally tinted windows.

TC Dave Burlingham, of Scarborough Road Policing Group, said: "Keeping your vehicle in a roadworthy condition is essential. We are pleased the safety message appears to be getting through to motorists. However, there are still a minority who believe they are above the law.

"A particular problem we have found is the use of tinted film placed over vehicle windows.

"It restricts the driver's vision and puts vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists at extreme risk, particularly at night."

Andy Skelton, Scarborough Council's head of environmental services, said: "We were particularly interested in checking stretched limousines and other hired vehicles carrying young people to school prom events. We were keen to ensure the vehicles were correctly licensed and maintained, and that the drivers were licensed, especially as young people were involved."