MORE than 80 motorists received tickets for not wearing their seat belts outside schools in Preston in just one week.

The clampdown came after a survey carried out by the Lancashire Road Safety Partnership revealed more than half the children at some schools around the city were not wearing their seat belts.

Fixed Penalty Notices were handed out to 81 drivers by Preston's Road Policing Unit from September 27 to October 1.

Inspector Stuart Whittle, head of Road Policing in Preston, said: "These results are concerning and highlight the apparent irresponsible attitude of drivers toward the safety of themselves and their passengers, particularly children.

"Preston police will continue further checks throughout the year to ensure drivers are conforming to the law and children are safely secured in vehicles.

The penalty for not wearing a seat belt where they are fitted in the front or rear of a car is a fixed fine of £30 or if it goes to court a maximum fine of £500 can be imposed.