A blitz to remove abandoned cars has been approved by councillors.

They hope the two-week operation will curb the rise in dumped cars in Mid Sussex, which has increased from 370 being destroyed last year to a projected total of more than 600 this year.

The cost of removing cars this year could be more than three times the budget of £7,158. In the first three months of the year, £5,500 has already been spent.

At a Cabinet meeting of Mid Sussex District Council, Councillor Andrew McNaughton said: "It does have very severe financial implications.

"We are getting more and more restrictions from the Government about disposing of cars but there is no financial contribution towards it.

"I have some reservations about a blitz. The problem goes away and then months later you are back where you were.

"But people will see that we are determined to get rid of abandoned cars."

Councillors also considered an amnesty on old cars, where people could get rid of them for free. But they concluded a blitz was more effective and cheaper.

No date has been set for the action.