EVERYONE dreads the sight of a clamp secured to their car, but few know clamping was around before cars were invented.

New archives at the Wiltshire and Swindon County Record Office in Trowbridge show an historical equivalent was used against those who let their horse roam on common land.

The 18th century records, from the Court of the Manor of Bromham, show it could cost up to 10 shillings to free an animal.