Too many lorries are exceeding weight restrictions on West Sussex roads.

West Sussex trading standards officers said the number of overloaded lorries on the county's roads is at a seven-year high.

They have instigated 17 prosecutions since April, with fines totalling £6,215.

Five formal cautions have also been issued against companies and their drivers under the Road Traffic Act for overloading their vehicles. Only one case involved a foreign-based vehicle.

County councillors are concerned about public safety because overweight lorries are less able to stop quickly in an emergency and steering can be seriously affected.

They are also responsible for increased wear and tear to the roads and damage bridges.

Michael Dennis, Cabinet member for public safety, said: "I am concerned that public safety is being compromised by the actions of some haulage firms.

"The trading standards service will continue to check vehicles on the roads of West Sussex and bring prosecutions where appropriate to ensure that overloaded heavy goods vehicles do not present a risk to other road users or cause unnecessary damage to our roads."

Patrick Bligh-Cheesman, head of trading standards, said: "We suspect that this increase in cases involving UK vehicles may be the result of greater competition in the haulage industry.

"Some road hauliers could be risking overloading their vehicles so they can save on fuel costs.

"Overloading is not only unsafe, but is also unfair competition against the law-abiding operator who accepts the constraints of the plated weight limits set by law."