A CAMPAIGN to remove abandoned or unwanted cars from the streets of Derwentside was last night hailed a success.

More than 100 vehicles that were dangerous, untaxed, uninsured or no longer wanted have been cleared up in the sweep.

A drive by police has involved 11 unsafe vehicles being towed away in the past fortnight.

It built on the success of an amnesty launched by Derwentside Community Safety Partnership in January.

The scheme allowed car, van and motorbike owners to contact the district council and have a vehicle towed away without charge. So far, 54 vehicles have been removed.

Two recent sweeps by the police and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) have also led to 26 untaxed vehicles being clamped.

Their owners have to pay a fee to get them released, plus pay for a tax disc and any back tax owed to the DVLA.

The firms involved in the recovery and storage of the cars are Consett Recovery, Kevin Brunton Car and Commercials, and scrap metal dealer George Brough.

Sergeant Andy McConnell, of Durham Police, said: "The Community Safety Partnership is committed to getting untaxed, dangerous or unwanted vehicles off the streets. We are aiming to make Derwentside a better place to live, and this action by ourselves, the council and the garages will continue indefinitely."