THE Government is studying proposals to introduce a car scrappage scheme in the near future as pressure grows to take action against the growing number of old vehicles on the road.

Scrappage schemes have been effective in cutting pollution levels and stimulating new car sales in several other countries recently, including France and Ireland. A spokesman for the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said: 'A vehicle scrappage scheme would help clean up the atmosphere. One in ten older vehicles are causing half of all emissions.'