The owner of a skip hire firm was ordered to suspend business for a day after letting one of his drivers work without breaks.

David Feely, owner of Worcester Park-based Feely Grab & Skip Hire, had his licence suspended for 24 hours after being found in breach of his responsibilities.

He allowed one of his drivers, John Guiry, work without taking legally required breaks on four separate occasions.

Both the operator and the driver were fined for the breach last year but Feely failed to notify the Traffic Commissioner, as he was required to do.

As a result, Traffic Commissioner Nick Denton held an inquiry last month and ruled that Mr Feely should have his licence suspended for 24 hours - a move he said should act as a warning.

During the hearing Feely said he is booked on to an operator awareness course and his workers are to take mandatory training on drivers' hours.

Mr Denton added: ""The improvements need to be maintained and sustained. Drivers’ hours compliance is essential."

The Traffic Commissioner, who acts as the industry regulator, said Mr Feely had, at best, an ineffective system for making sure his drivers stuck to the rules - lorry drivers must take a break every four-and-a-half hours.

Feely Grab & Skip Hire is based in Gareth Close and supplies 18 tonne trucks, skips and mini-diggers in London, Surrey and Kent.