A VAN has been seized today after the owners trick to try and avoid paying for insurance backfired.

Lancashire Police said the vehicle flagged up as having no insurance in Blackburn.

The owner, who runs a company which uses vans, had decided that instead of taking out a policy for each company vehicle, he would put the same number plates on two identical vehicles.

A spokesperson for the force said: "This vehicle was today seized in Blackburn for no insurance.

"The owner decided instead of taking out a policy for each company vehicle, they would stick the same number plates on two identical vans.

"The driver already had nine points so this case will go straight to court.

"The owner has also been reported to the insurance company for insurance fraud.

"It's the second vehicle seized today in Blackburn, the other was a BMW being driven at high speed around Copy Nook, who had already been issued a S59 warning."