AUTHORITIES in Rome are reportedly planning to penalise 4x4 owners for using the city centre.

In a crackdown on pollution, the city's traffic councillor wants to make sports utility vehicle owners pay E1,000 each year.

Traffic is already limited in Rome with car owners charged E316 for an annual permit to bring their vehicles into the centre.

Officials in the city of Florence are also planning to curb the use of 4x4s.