A vehicle seat manufacturing company based in Ebbw Vale, has been fined after a worker was injured from an explosion. Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard how an operator at Sears Manufacturing Company (Europe) Limited suffered burns to his head and hands.

A highly flammable release agent is used to prevent dispensed foam sticking to the seat mould. It was during this process that the release agent ignited, causing an explosion which injured the operator.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) into the incident which occurred on 26 January 2015 found that a failure to have suitable control measures in place caused the release agent to ignite.

A Car dealer from Basildon who stole 13 classic Minis has been jailed for three years. Sam Metten, 28, of Polsteads, was found guilty of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles after a week-long trial.

An investigation into the theft of classic Minis from across the south-east led officers from the Metropolitan Police's organised vehicle crime unit to investigate the activities of Metten and another man, Stephen Fiddimore.

The pair advertised classic Mini car and spares on eBay and traded from a lock-up garage in Kent.

Leading industry body NIBA says lives at risk by widespread use of replica parts

One of Northern Ireland’s largest car industry bodies said today (Wednesday 6^th April, 2016) that lives were being put at risk in Northern Ireland because of the widespread use of cheap, replica car parts.

The Northern Ireland Bodyshop Alliance (NIBA), which represents more than 50 independent car repair garages and more than 200 professional mechanics, said it was now deeply concerned about driver and passenger safety after analysing the results of the region’s first major independent study.

Last week we had a visit from a consultant who specialises in FCA regulation and claims management conduct issues. During the conversation we were informed that we needed to be regulated by the FCA because we are assisting with the administration and performance of a contract of insurance.

The consultant then went on to advise us that the Directors could be prosecuted and even go to jail if we did not become regulated. We were then offered the opportunity to use the consultant’s services to resolve this matter and protect the Directors from prosecution.

Do we need to be regulated or is the consultant just using high pressure sales to make us pay him quite a lot of money every month?