A BLITZ on untaxed, abandoned and illegally parked cars in a town centre has been a success.

In the first three days of the week-long operation in Peterlee - codenamed Lariat - teams have seized and towed away 18 unlicensed and two dumped vehicles.

Owners of a dozen illegally parked vehicles were also ordered to move them within 24 hours, while a further 12 have been given warnings.

The teams involved in the operation, made up of police officers and officials from Easington District Council and East Durham Homes, went into action after 7,000 warning leaflets were distributed in the town centre.

But PC Jim Cowell, the man overseeing the operation, insisted that the sweep, backed by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, had been mounted to educate rather than prosecute.

He said: "We have issued plenty of warnings since the summer but, following the seasonal downturn in the weather, things have been getting worse, particularly in the Howletch area.

"In some cases, vehicles - and even caravans -are being left standing for months on end.

"These homes were designed more than 30 years ago with open grassed areas around them with few facilities to park cars.

"People mistakenly believe they can drive off the road, across pavements and onto the verges, where they leave untaxed vehicles outside their houses."

And PC Cowell, who is the designated vehicle and nuisance officer for the area, warned: "Those who ignore our overtures will pay the price."

He hoped that the initial impact of the operation, which has been well accepted by many local residents, would be instrumental in persuading vehicle owners to act quickly.

He said: "We are walking every street and cul-de-sac checking vehicles.

"And we will return, particularly at the weekend when we believe more vehicles have returned to the area.

"We are also inviting members of the public to tell us where they believe these rogue cars might be."