Agricultural vehicles trundling along Sussex roads are to be subjected to spot checks by police and safety experts.

They will also be making unannounced visits to farms to inspect mobile equipment.

Sussex Police and officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) will be checking tractors, trailers and combine harvesters.

They will be paying special attention to trailers to ensure they have properly connected breaking systems and lights.

Teams will look over any agricultural vehicle found on the road or stored on the farm.

If any serious defects are found they will take enforcement action and prosecute.

Mike Walters, the HSE inspector organising the blitz, said: "Since 1992, 44 self-employed farmers have been killed in transport-related accidents across the country.

"Transport is the most common cause of a fatal accident to a self-employed farmer."

Police and safety officials will also be checking to make sure children under 13 are not being carried in or on agricultural machinery.