DERBYSHIRE Constabulary’s consistent support for tyre safety initiatives over the past eight years has won the force a national award from the Tyre Industry Council (TIC).

Giving the Derbyshire police fleet the TIC’s Tyre Safety Professionals Award, council chairman Brian Smith said: ‘The Derbyshire Constabulary annual vehicle condition check has always majored on tyres and their support for the TIC tyre safety initiative has always been from the highest levels within the force.’

Runners-up were Tesco and Leicestershire Council’s Road Safety Team.

National Tyres and Autocare won the Tyre Safety Industry Award for pioneering the development of the tyre safety clinic programme at major supermarkets.

Runners-up for this award were North Eastern Tyres, for its support of the successful North East England tyre safety campaign and Craighill Tyres of Irvine, for loyal support of the council over many years. A further award for 2005 has been announced: the TIC Industry Training Award recognising commitment to staff training.