A campaign to tackle the scourge of abandoned and unlicensed vehicles in Hartlepool has been hailed a success - echoing good results elsewhere on Teesside.

Operation Cubit, a joint venture involving the borough council, Cleveland Police and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), began last week and achieved its target of removing 100 vehicles in just three days.

The vehicles are being stored in a compound and will be scrapped unless claimed by their owners.

Dave Stubbs, Hartlepool Borough Council's head of direct services, said: "Many of these vehicles are used in crime.

"Abandoned cars can also become targets for arsonists and this is another serious safety issue that the campaign has tried to address.

"Abandoned vehicles are the council's responsibility and our involvement in Operation Cubit reflects the role we continue to play in promoting community safety."

A team made up of council workers, police and DVLA officials has been working across the town.

Mr Stubbs said: "A person has seven days to prove ownership and that a vehicle is licensed.

"It will then be returned, subject to the payment of a fine to the DVLA, road tax and an administration charge of £35. If, after seven days' storage, vehicles are not claimed then they will be scrapped."

A spokesman for Cleveland Police said: "Similar operations that have taken place elsewhere across Cleveland have resulted in the seizure of scores of vehicles, which have included a Porsche and a Mercedes convertible.

"Many of the seized vehicles were either abandoned, vandalised or burnt out, but some formed a pool of potentially dangerous vehicles that were being used by criminals."

Hartlepool Community Safety Partnership is aiming to build on the success of Operation Cubit by launching Operation Magpie soon.