A MAJOR expansion of wheel clamping to deal with minor motoring offences was signalled by the Lord Chancellor yesterday.

Motorists could find their vehicles immobilised or impounded rather than being taken to court.

The proposal is part of a radical scheme to remove millions of minor crimes from the court system to ease the burden on magistrates.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton also said he would change the law to make it easier for people to take time off work to sit as JPs.

Lord Falconer said he would draw up "clear and achievable" requirements on how much time people should be allowed if they want to sit as magistrates, which would be loosely based on existing flexible working rules for parents.

A White Paper published yesterday says that such a move would encourage a wider range of people to become magistrates.

It added: "We need to make the magistracy a more viable option to younger people.

"For example, we are consulting employers' organisations about what might be a reasonable sitting pattern for younger people in employment. "The existing legislation on time off is open to misinterpretation."

The BBC and TV Licensing Authority may be given new powers to issue their own summonses for licence dodging. And the DVLA could also play a greater role in tackling motoring crimes.

Lord Falconer added: "More wheel clamping would be a good idea."