A YOUNG motorist today blasted police after they lost the file of evidence against a driver who allegedly crashed into her while uninsured.

Amy Fenton, 19, of Belgrave Road, Darwen, was in a road accident on November 4 at the junction of Hollins Road and Sandringham Road.

The other driver involved sent a letter to Amy's solicitor saying she was uninsured at the time and police were considering a prosecution.

However, a case was not brought within the six month time limit and Darwen police have admitted they lost the file of evidence against her.

Amy, who works as TV licensing enquiry officer in Preston, said: "I cannot believe what has happened. If I had lost a prosecution file at work then I would have been sacked.

"It just makes you think what is the point of having the police if they fail to prosecute people. This is not what we pay council tax for."

Amy will still receive compensation from the Motor Insurers Board, which has a fund of money available for victims of cases where the third party was uninsured.

In a letter dated August 2 sent to Amy's solicitor Michael Corrigan, police admitted: "Unfortunately the file was lost in transit between the officer in case and this office. Due to the limitation of proceedings we are unable to continue with the prosecution."

Mr Corrigan, from Farley's Solicitors, said: "The fact that the police have lost the file shows they are grossly inefficient or severely lacking in funding.

"What it does reinforce is the public's negative attitude to the police and highlights the inadequacy of the system used by the force.

"The message is that everyone who pays for car insurance is also paying for all those who don't."

Amy is in the process of making an official complaint to the police and has enlisted the help of local MP Janet Anderson, who has said she will inform the Chief Constable of Lancashire Police about the matter.

Amy added: "I have even written to Tony Blair.

"It might not do any good but I am so disgusted with the system and feel so let down that I don't know what else to do."

A police spokesman said: "Unfortunately the officer dealing with this case was off sick for some of the time and the enquiry has therefore not been completed within the time constraints.

"The file can be located as it is probably in internal mail or sitting in someone's tray but we will be looking into why this woman was not prosecuted."