A clean-up operation to tackle environmental crime and anti-social behaviour has uncovered a hoarder of bicycles.

More than 200 rusting old bikes and two rotting cars were removed from one house in the fourth Operation Enable, spearheaded by Hambleton Community Safety Partnership in Bedale, Aiskew and Leeming Bar.

The three-day campaign involved representatives of the police, fire and rescue service, Broadacres Housing Association and county, district, town and parish councils.

Rubbish was cleared, graffiti scrubbed away, home safety checks undertaken, speeding drivers were warned and vehicles checked.

One target of the campaign was a housing association tenant who became the subject of neighbours' complaints because of his hoarding habit.

John Proud, street scene manager at Hambleton District Council, said: "This chap had just collected so many bikes that they were everywhere - outside and inside the house and even on top of the garage.

"People apparently kept on giving him bikes but they were never done up and none of them was worth anything. They were rusting and corroded. It was agreed with the fire brigade that metal and rubber from the bikes and the two cars should be removed."

In a truancy sweep, three parents were arrested for non-payment of fines. Five more people were ordered to pay fines totalling more than £500.