POLICE arrested a driver and issued a string of fines as they swooped on traders heading to a popular outdoor market.

Officers stopped 135 vans making their way to North Weald Airfield for the UK's largest outdoor sale on Saturday morning.

Members of the force's casualty reduction and commercial vehicle units were joined by officers from Trading Standards, the Trademark Association, Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and HM Revenue and Customs for the checks, carried out at the Hastingwood weighbridge area near the M11.

One motorist was arrested on suspicion of driving while disqualified, three vans were seized for being uninsured and two drivers were found to have expired driving licences.

A further seven drivers were fined for having expired MOTs and five vehicles were found to have mechanical defects.

A number were also fined for not wearing seat belts and 14 vans were found to be overweight.

Trading Standards officers also seized a number of items - the majority children’s toys without Kitemarks - for safety checks.