SCORES of vehicles across South Ayrshire have fallen victim to a clamping campaign by the DVLA.

Road tax dodgers across Ayr, Troon and Prestwick were left going nowhere after their cars wheels were locked down.

In total 54 vehicles were clamped as part of the driving standards agency day-to-day enforcement activity.

The operation took place over the KA6, KA7 and KA10 postcodes last week and is expected to continue.

In Troon residents noticed a spate of vehicles across the town stuck with the wheel locks in place.

Pictures emerged on social media showing that one unlucky motorists’ car had been clamped.

Driving chiefs have advised residents that there’s “no excuse” when it comes to taxing their vehicles and have urged people not to take the risk.

DVLA enforcement spokeswoman Beth Beasley said: “While over 98% of vehicles on the road are taxed correctly, it is right that we take action against those who don’t tax their vehicles and then drive them - otherwise it wouldn’t be fair to those who do the right thing.”

“We don’t need to spot a vehicle on the road to take enforcement action but if we do, wheel clamping is an effective way to make sure that an untaxed vehicle is not driven on the road.”

Residents whose vehicles were clamped would have faced a frantic 24 hours to pay the release fee of £100 and could have been left with a further £160 fine.

Some are also at risk of having their vehicle removed completely if they failed to pay within the strict time frame.

Beth at the DVLA added: “It’s never been easier to tax your car – it’s just a few clicks to do it online and you can do it 24 hours a day, you can also spread payments across the year by Direct Debit so there really is no excuse. Having your vehicle clamped is expensive and inconvenient. Don’t take the risk – tax it or lose it.”