A SCHEME to rid Darlington of its abandoned cars will be launched next week.

The borough council has organised a two-week amnesty starting from Monday, during which the council will offer a free service to collect and dispose of any car that the owner wants scrapped.

The scheme is part of a national initiative by environmental charity Encams and funded by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

The council will also be approaching people who have vehicles parked on their properties that look as if they may need to be scrapped.

The vehicles may also be removed at the owner's request and disposed of free of charge.

Last year, the council spent £60,000 disposing of about 1,000 abandoned cars.

Anyone wanting an abandoned car collected can telephone (01325) 388799.