PEOPLE with caravans are being urged to ensure their mobile homes are roadworthy before taking to the highways.

As part of a month long project, Bolton Traffic police have promoted caravan safety as thousands of touring fanatics prepare to hitch up for the summer.

Caravan owners are being advised to check brakes and tyres are not defective, with the majority of tourers having been idle over the winter.

Officers completed a two-day advisory campaign when they were based in Victoria Square, passing on safety tips on maintaining the roadworthiness of caravans.

Insp Duncan Grundy, of the traffic unit, said: "Bolton division does not experience many caravanning collisions.

"But clearly there is a considerable number of caravan owners in the borough who take to the roads during the summer.

"The majority of collisions involving caravans happen on the way to holiday destinations once extra demands are put on the caravan's stability, brakes and tyres.

"My concern is that after the winter, when the caravan has not been used, necessary maintenance and safety checks to ensure the car and caravan combination is fit for the road may be neglected.

"When accidents do happen, they can often lead to one or both vehicles overturning."

Council road safety officers and Caravan Club members have been involved in the campaign, which includes tips on protection against thieves.