A DRIVE to stop cars being dumped on roads in north-west Durham has been launched.

Police are offering an amnesty to the owners of vehicles that have reached the end of the road.

The initiative, by Derwentside Community Safety Partnership, aims to reduce problems caused by unwanted cars left parked on driveways, dumped in gardens or discarded on private land.

As well as being an eyesore for residents, they also become potential magnets for anti-social behaviour, such as arson attacks, and can be a danger to children.

Sergeant Sue Murray said: "Many of these vehicles are rusting, have their windows broken or flat tyres and some are simply used as a source of spare parts.

"Removing them will help improve the look of certain locations and provide owners with an easy way of shifting something they no longer have a use for."

In January, the partnership is offering owners the chance to get rid of their unwanted motors free of charge.

The vehicles will be picked up by a local firm, who will recoup their costs from the scrap value of the cars.

Similar operations mounted recently in the Easington and Durham areas led to more than 100 cars being successfully removed.

Cars and vans will only be removed with the full agreement of the owner, who will be asked to hand over the log book or sign a disclaimer.

For more details, call Derwentside District Council on (01207) 218795.