Farm and construction vehicles have to adhere to new rules on covering the roads with mud and muck.

Devon County Council has produced the guidance because mud on the roads can be a hazard.

It is an offence under the Highways Act to allow soil or refuse to fall or be washed onto the road.

Any person in charge of a vehicle is responsible for ensuring that mud or other material does not fall from it and that the wheels have been cleaned as much as can be reasonably expected.

Anyone leaving material on the road is responsible for clearing it, but if this is not removed a penalty could be charged and the police called.

Councillor Stuart Hughes, the county council’s transport chief said: “Small amounts of mud…often pose little or no threat to road safety, however, larger amounts can be hazardous and we want all drivers to respect the safety of our road network.”

For more information go to: www.devon.gov.uk/index/transportroads/roads/farming_and_roads