An estimated 6,300 motorists are driving around the district without a tax disc, we can reveal.

The startling figure was obtained by the Keighley News this week, as a major new offensive was launched to crack down on the disc dodgers.

Portable "stingray" cameras are to be deployed throughout the region to catch offenders, who will then face fines of up to £1,000.

The hi-tech digital equipment pictures the number plate of every passing vehicle, and feeds the details into a database which determines if the vehicle is taxed.

Evaders will then receive a letter with details of the penalty.

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will back up its initiative with extra wheel clamping units, and police will be conducting roadside checks to target tax disc cheats and drivers committing other motoring offences.

Terry Barnard, for the DVLA, said: "We are taking a hard line and stepping up our enforcement activity by introducing the cameras in a determined effort to clamp down on this irresponsible group of people who evade paying their road tax.

"Honest motorists are infuriated at having to subsidise road tax cheats, and it is a constant source of resentment."

He added that in addition to the new cameras extra DVLA wheel clamping units and police roadside checks would be in operation throughout the campaign areas.

The 6,300-or-so tax disc evaders in this district are costing honest motorists hundreds of thousands of pounds, said the DVLA.

County-wide the figure is over £15 million.

In the Yorkshire and Humberside areas over 8,700 vehicles have already been wheel clamped for not having a current tax disc.

Almost 4,500 of these vehicles were removed to car graveyards and have been crushed.