NOW that the weather is improving there really is no excuse to carry on paying to have your car washed.

Whether you favour one of the automatic types you find at many garages, or the group of blokes who offer to clean your pride and joy in the car park while you hit the shops, it is time to stop pouring money down the drain.

Washing your own car costs just a few pence in electricity to power the vacuum cleaner and heat the water.

Use an old T-shirt as a cloth and count the exercise as a bonus.

For a bit of family bonding, you can even get the children involved if you promise to help them wash their bikes afterwards.

If you don’t have all the equipment keep an eye on your neighbours and ask to borrow theirs.

Whatever you do do not just refuse to wash the car.

Dirt can encourage rust and there’s nothing that reduces the value of your motor quicker.