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Unfilled potholes are a big problem for motorists across the UK, it has been reported.

Figures published by tyre organisation TyreSafe show that £320 million in vehicle damage was caused by the hazards during 2006.

It added that since 1996 there has been a 42 per cent rise in incidents involving potholes, which may have had an effect on the number of car insurance claims made by people due to them.

And the hazards look set to remain a permanent fixture on some UK roads for a while, as council officials have no plans to fill in ten per cent - or 120,000.

"Damage to the tyre is not immediately visible and therefore motorists may be unaware of this until a potentially catastrophic failure occurs, thus putting the vehicle occupants and other road users at risk," said TyreSafe.

TyreSafe has been in operation for 16 years and was previously called the Tyre Industry Council.

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