Seized Mercedes helps prisoners learn car valeting

A Mercedes E280 car seized by police has been donated to Bristol Prison for inmates to learn the skill of car valeting.

The car was seized by officers because the owner did not have valid insurance and the MOT had expired. Nobody went to claim the car or pay the seizure fees.

Prison governor Peter Noonan said the vehicle would help prisoners gain vital skills to get a job when they leave.

It was one of 5,700 cars seized by Avon and Somerset Police last year.

Ch Insp Polly King said: "Uninsured drivers or people driving unroadworthy vehicles are a menace to law abiding drivers and we want them off our roads.

"We are really glad that this one is going to be put to good use."