Scores of abandoned vehicles have been towed away, clamped or crushed during a tax disc blitz in Mid Sussex.

The clampdown cleared 146 vehicles from the streets.

Fifty-eight were claimed by their owners, 44 have been scrapped and 44 are being held for seven days before they too are crushed.

The DVLA and Mid Sussex District Council also issued almost 300 penalty notices for untaxed vehicles.

The council teamed up with police and the licensing authority with the aim of removing all abandoned vehicles from the district's roads.

Police say the abandoned vehicles are a magnet for arsonists and lower the tone of some estates, where they litter roadsides.

The two-week crackdown is the first in a series of operations.

Dick China, group leader in engineering at the council, said: "We have less of a problem than some districts but it is still something we need to tackle. This blitz has been a success and we've certainly pulled a lot of cars off the road.

"We investigated 146 vehicles. We tried to determine whether they were abandoned or not and then issued a notice for the vehicle.

"We have authority to remove an abandoned vehicle in 24 hours but if it is considered to have some value we have to give seven days' notice for the owner to claim it.

"In many cases people abandon cars because they don't want the cost of scrapping them.

"At one time there was a value in scrap metal but the bottom fell out of the market and now if they take it to dealer there is a charge.

"It is actually very difficult to trace the owner.

"The majority of these vehicles are not registered with the DVLA. The previous owners have not registered the sale and the new owners haven't, either.

"We will continue to remove abandoned vehicles."

Mr China said owners claiming cars within the seven-day notice period would not face costs but if their vehicle had been towed away there would be a charge to recover it.

Any cars not claimed would be scrapped.

Abandoned vehicles can be reported by calling 01444 477409 or by emailing dereks@midsussex.gov.uk