ROGUE motorists who break the law by driving through Bolton town centre's pedestrianised zone are to be given the "red light".

A police operation will be mounted this week to crack down on drivers who flout the pedestrian-only restrictions.

In a similar operation two years ago, nearly 300 drivers were netted and given fixed penalty tickets.

The new move, involving Bolton police's town centre unit and the traffic wardens, started today.

Police chiefs decided the time was ripe for a crackdown after complaints from shoppers and office workers about motorists flouting the law.

One pedestrian complained to the police after he had been forced to jump out of the way of a speeding car on the precinct.

The only motorists currently allowed in the pedestrian zone either have permits or are making deliveries to stores and offices.

Sgt Norman Entwistle, of Bolton police's town centre unit, said the operation will be mounted daily until October 20.

"It will be the first of several initiatives in the town centre in the busy build up to Christmas," said Sgt Entwistle.

"Our intention is to ensure that the centre of the town is safe for everyone visiting the centre - or working there."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.