Devon and Cornwall Police has launched a campaign to remind caravan owners to do safety checks on their vehicles before hitting the road this summer.

Owners of caravans, trailers, or motorhomes are being urged to check if they're still roadworthy - especially if they have not been used in more than a year - to avoid incidents on the road.

Alliance MPC Phil Saundercock from Devon and Cornwall Police said: "Due to the current uncertainty surrounding international travel, more people than ever before will opt for a 'staycation'; this has seen a rise in sales of second-hand caravan and road users deciding to purchase a caravan for the first time.

"Naturally this will lead to a large number of caravan users visiting Devon and Cornwall, but before you travel you must make sure that you have undertaken all necessary safety checks."

You can find a list of simple safety checks on the government website here.

The DVLA has also produced a guide to towing, and Tyresafe has a guide on checking tyres on vehicles coming out of storage.

Highways England, The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and officers from the Alliance Roads Policing Team will be carrying out patrols and looking for caravans, trailers, and camper vans that might not be roadworthy.

MPC Saundercock said: "Officers will be on the road, in both marked and unmarked cars to spot any issues and to educate those pulling caravans and trailers. It is vital for all road users that what you are pulling is roadworthy, secure, and has correct weight distribution.

"Drivers need to check their trailers and caravans thoroughly before they hit the road, especially if they have not been used for some time, even perhaps laid up since summer 2019.

"If your tyres or vehicle aren't roadworthy or your license and insurance isn't suitable, you run the very real risk of having points added to your license, a fine from the court and it could result in your caravan being seized.

"Towing incidents on the road network can cause considerable delays to other road users, not to mention being potentially hazardous; please reduce your speed, adapt how you drive and make sure you have the necessary breakdown cover."