A scheme to report abandoned and untaxed cars has been hailed a success after more than 750 vehicles were removed from the streets.

Since November, Hastings Borough Council has taken on extra powers, held by the DVLA, to clamp and crush cars which have no tax discs or have been abandoned.

It is only the second local authority outside London to be granted these powers.

Council figures reveal 756 abandoned and untaxed cars have been removed thanks to the project, which allows residents to report all cars through a dedicated phone line.

Extra council staff have been drafted in to work alongside community wardens, street wardens, police, Neighbourhood Watch members and residents.

Councillor Paul Silverson, Cabinet member responsible for transport, said: "I am delighted the borough council is able to respond more quickly to the growing demands in dealing with untaxed vehicles in the town.

"By using DVLA delegated powers we have been able to build on the hugely popular Cubit scheme, which we operated with the DVLA and the police.

"The council is now able to remove untaxed vehicles all year round and this helps reduce the number of abandoned vehicles on our streets."

Owners of clamped cars have 24 hours to pay the £80 fine, which rises to £160 if the vehicle is impounded.

They are then asked to produce a new tax disc or pay a further £120 fine, which is refunded if the disc is produced within 14 days.

Out of the 501 untaxed cars, just 125 owners have come forward to claim their vehicles. The others will be scrapped.

More than 250 abandoned cars, with no tax, insurance or MOT certificates, have already been destroyed.

In February last year, the council, in conjunction with police, fire brigade and licensing officers, carried out a blitz on abandoned and untaxed cars called Operation Cubit.

The operation was run after the council received more than 3,000 calls in relation to vehicles in the town.

Within a week more than 100 cars were removed, crushed and made into cubes.

Members of the public can now report abandoned, dangerous or untaxed vehicles on 01424 783372.