The European Commission has said it will take Britain to court over the government's tough approach to cross-Channel "booze cruisers".

Tax and customs commissioner Frits Bolkestein said that penalties being imposed by the UK were "disproportionate" to the offences being committed.

The government was also warned that Customs officials at UK borders were interfering "with the rights given to EU citizens by the internal market rules to go shopping in other member states".

Rules governing the way in which Customs officers operate allow them to seize goods and impound cars if shoppers return from the continent with large quantities of goods to sell to friends and family.

The legal challenge, which will be mounted in the European Court of Justice, comes despite a last minute concession by the Treasury.

Ministers have agreed that first-time offenders can now keep their cars and goods provided they pay UK duty and a fine.

But Bolkestein appears determined to press ahead with the court challenge to UK procedures.

"Regrettably the UK has failed to change its practices, despite our formal request to do so," he said.

"It is therefore time to ask the court to consider this matter."