A DRIVER trying to travel more than 20 miles with a tyre hanging off told police he thought it was a problem with the clutch or gear box.

A Peugeot was stopped by officers from the Dorset Police No Excuse team close to Derby's Corner in Poole late last night.

Officers had heard the vehicle coming before they saw it and the driver said he thought he would have been all right to make it home, 20 miles away.

"Why would you continue to drive if it doesn't sound right?" said a No Excuse spokesman. "What state was the tyre in when he set off? We will never know."

The vehicle was recovered at the expense of the owner and police urged people to stop somewhere safe and check their vehicles if they think there is a problem adding: "It could save lives and unnecessary repair bills."