COUNCILLORS are to take action over the escalating number of cars left abandoned in Darlington.

Latest figures released by Darlington Borough Council show the problem has increased dramatically in the past two years, with the number of abandoned cars increasing almost four-fold.

During 1999 and 2000, 270 notices were served on owners of abandoned cars.

For 2001 and 2002, council officers project that the number of notices served will be 941.

The dramatic increase in the number of abandoned cars is costing the council £40,000 a year.

Last year, more than 1,000 cars were abandoned on streets in Darlington.

In some circumstances police remove vehicles - if they have been stolen, burnt out or have been involved in accidents.

The council's Public Protection Forum is to meet tomorrow to discuss the problem.

Councillors will also look at new Government legislation that gives local authorities increased powers to remove vehicles.

A report by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions has listed a number of proposals to extend powers to deal with abandoned cars and with untaxed vehicles left on the highway.

In a report to the forum, the council's director of development and environment, John Buxton, states that the cars are a "blight on the environment and they can create a danger to the public or create serious obstructions".

He said: "The current legislation to deal with abandoned cars is regarded by many, including members, officers, the police and the general public, as slow and bureaucratic."

The report also reveals that the problem has become so great in Darlington that an officer who previously worked two days a week on the service now has to deal with it full-time.

The council plans to pursue vigorously the owners of abandoned cars for the money it costs to recover and store vehicles, in order to reap back its outgoings.

Councillor Stephen Harker, the council's cabinet member for community protection, said: "Dumping vehicles on the streets is a problem that is on the increase.

"The new Government laws mean we can act quickly to remove cars which are clearly not going to be claimed by their owners."

The council has welcomed the Government guidelines permitting it to remove vehicles within 24 hours instead of the previous seven days.