More than £17 million has been raised in the past four months by a levy on foreign lorries, the government has revealed.

The Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) road levy was introduced in April and has resulted in charges being imposed on over 112,000 vehicles from 76 countries.

Money raised from the scheme could be used to repair over 320,000 potholes on the nation's roads, maintain and power 170,000 street lights for a year or fund 3,400 extra electric car grants.

Transport minister Robert Goodwill welcomed the news, saying the government had estimated the levy would raise £20 million in a year. 

"To take £17 million in just four months is impressive and shows that compliance has remained high since introduction," he added.

All hauliers driving trucks of 12 tonnes or more must pay the charge, but UK drivers do so as part of their vehicle excise duty, keeping administration costs to a minimum.