A computer implemented method for classifying one or more embossed and/or engraved markings on a sidewall of a tyre into one or more classes, the method comprising: (i) providing digital image data of the sidewall of the tyre; (ii) generating a first, second, and third image channels from a first portion of the digital image data relating to a corresponding first portion of the sidewall of the tyre, wherein said generating the first image channel comprises: performing histogram equalisation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate the first image channel ; and wherein said generating the second and third image channel comprises: performing adaptive histogram equalisation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate the second image channel ; and assigning the first portion of the digital image data as the third image channel ; (iii) generating a first feature map using the first, second and third image channels ; and (iv) applying a first classifier to the first feature map to classify said embossed and/or engraved markings into one or more first classes; (v) performing a difference of Gaussians operation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate a fourth image channel ; (vi) generating a second feature map using the fourth image channel ; and (vii) applying a second classifier to the second feature map to classify said embossed and/or engraved markings into one or more second classes; wherein the first and second classes comprise one or more alphanumeric or other characters, logos and/or symbols indicative of a property of said tyre. (i) providing digital image data of the sidewall of the tyre; (ii) generating a first, second, and third image channels from a first portion of the digital image data relating to a corresponding first portion of the sidewall of the tyre, wherein said generating the first image channel comprises: performing histogram equalisation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate the first image channel ; and wherein said generating the second and third image channel comprises: performing adaptive histogram equalisation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate the second image channel ; and assigning the first portion of the digital image data as the third image channel ; wherein said generating the first image channel comprises: performing histogram equalisation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate the first image channel ; and wherein said generating the second and third image channel comprises: performing adaptive histogram equalisation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate the second image channel ; and assigning the first portion of the digital image data as the third image channel ; performing adaptive histogram equalisation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate the second image channel ; and assigning the first portion of the digital image data as the third image channel ; (iii) generating a first feature map using the first, second and third image channels ; and (iv) applying a first classifier to the first feature map to classify said embossed and/or engraved markings into one or more first classes; (v) performing a difference of Gaussians operation on the first portion of the digital image data to generate a fourth image channel ; (vi) generating a second feature map using the fourth image channel ; and (vii) applying a second classifier to the second feature map to classify said embossed and/or engraved markings into one or more second classes; <EOS>