Exmouth prom night transport came under the scrutiny of the police and district council when officers were out in force clamping down on rogue vehicles.

Officers from the district council’s licensing and fraud teams, the police, and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) this month carried out checks of taxis, stretch limousines, and novelty vehicles in the Exmouth area.

Of the five novelty and stretch limousines that dropped off passengers at the recent Exmouth Community College prom, at Exmouth Pavilion, three were found to be in order, one received a delayed prohibition from VOSA , and one novelty vehicle - a de-commissioned fire engine painted pink - was dealt with by the police for displaying blue lights because it was no longer an emergency vehicle.

The vehicle examinations were carried out at the East Devon District Council (EDDC) Camperdown Terrace depot.

Taxis, novelty vehicles and stretch limousines were directed to the depot for checks by the authorities after dropping off partygoers at the prom.

A district council spokesman said nine checks were carried out.

• Four East Devon licensed taxis were checked and as a result of several vehicle maintenance defects, three vehicles were served with delayed prohibition notices by VOSA officers to enable repairs to be undertaken.

• One vehicle had a number of defects including a passenger seat belt which did not work.

The district council spokesman said: “As this would have put fare paying passengers at unacceptable risk, the vehicle’s taxi licence was immediately suspended by an East Devon District Council licensing officer, due to non-compliance with VOSA regulations.

“The effect of this suspension is that the vehicle cannot be used as a taxi until repairs are carried out and a new MOT certificate presented to the council’s licensing service.

“The EDDC policy is one of compliance through co-operation, and whilst the results are disappointing, further checks will continue to ensure higher standards are reached and maintained.”