Pictured above: Anthony Hughes

Shropshire motorists must keep their car insurance up-to-date - even if they're not planning to drive their vehicle.

That's the warning from Anthony Hughes at Henshalls Insurance Brokers, in Newport and Shrewsbury.

"New regulations are due to go before Parliament this month that will make it an offence to be the registered keeper of a vehicle without being covered by insurance.

"And the offence will apply even if the vehicle is not driven on the road, so it's vital that motorists are clear just what their responsibilities are."

Anthony said under the Continuous Insurance Enforcement rules, records from the DVLA and the national Motor Insurance Database would be compared, to track down registered keepers without insurance.

"The motorist will then be given several options to put things straight, the simplest of which is to buy insurance.

"But they could also register for a Statutory Off Road Notice (SORN), if they intend to take the vehicle off the road completely, update their DVLA records, or contact their insurance provider to make sure the Motor Insurance Database listing is accurate."

Anthony said if a motorist ignored the regulations, they could face serious consequences.

"There may well be an initial fixed penalty fine of £100, followed by a possible court prosecution which carries a maximum fine of £1,000, and the vehicle may even be clamped, seized and scrapped.

"Motorists must be aware of the new regulations in order to ensure they do not breach the rules, and the safest approach is to keep both the DVLA and the Motor Insurance Database listings informed of any changes in your circumstances.

"Don't just try to ignore the rules as the new updated system means it will be much more difficult to escape legal action, no matter how hard you try."