DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott is to launch a 17-point greener driving action plan, drawn up by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. The Greener Motoring Guide gives drivers advice on how they can reform their car use to become more environmentally-friendly.

The guide - which has been offered to all manufacturers to be included in all new cars registered in the UK - includes targets for drivers to reduce the number of short car journeys they make by at least one per week, and to achieve a 1% reduction in mileage each year. It calls on motorists to pursue greener driving techniques with the SMMT saying: 'The motor car is not the environment-destroying monster that some people make it out to be.'

Copies can be obtained by phoning 0990 668855.