MOTORISTS in Bicester who drive without a seatbelt could be issued with a fine this morning.

Police officers and road safety officers from Oxfordshire County Council, will be checking drivers in Kings End and Middleton Stoney Road, near Bicester Rugby Club between 7.30am and 9.30am.

Motorists failing to comply with the law will be issued with a £30 non-endorsable fixed fine.

They will then be offered the chance to speak to a council road safety officer.

If they take that opportunity, they will be given advice in the hope it will change drivers' behaviour to wear seatbelts in the future.

Drivers taking the time to speak to officers will then be allowed to hand their ticket back.

The action is part of an ongoing effort throughout the Thames Valley region to improve road safety and cut down the numbers of motorists killed and injured each year.

PC Mark Pilling, of Abingdon roads policing unit, said: "We need to ensure everybody knows they must wear a seatbelt when they drive.

"Last year, 1,169 people were killed or seriously injured on Thames Valley roads. We are carrying out these checks and educating people because we desperately want to reduce that number."