AN amnesty for drivers whose cars have reached the end of the road has proved such a success it is being continued for another month.

Derwentside Community Safety Partnership launched a campaign to rid the district of unwanted vehicles left on driveways, parked on private land or dumped in gardens, at the start of last month.

Police, firefighters and council officials were concerned that, apart from such vehicles being eyesores, they were also potential magnets for arsonists and vandals. Owners were offered the chance to have their cars towed away and scrapped for free, rather than the normal cost of up to £50.

In the first four weeks of the scheme a total of 26 cars were collected and disposed of in two local scrapyards.

Six were collected from East Stanley, with the remainder spread evenly across other areas including Quebec, Lanchester, Annfield Plain and Consett.

Those destined for scrap included a sports car, but were mainly family runabouts and saloon vehicles.

The amnesty will now last until the end of February for anyone wanting to get rid of their "old banger" should contact the council on (01207) 218795 during normal office hours.

Sergeant Andy McConnell said: "We are delighted with how well things are going. Hopefully word will spread that here is an ideal opportunity to get rid of an end-of-life car free of charge.

"Derwentside Council have also reported fewer abandoned vehicles than normal this month. No-one can say for certain that's because of the amnesty, but even if it is just a coincidence it's a very welcome one."

District council chairman Councillor Alex Watson welcomed the scheme as an example of a good partnership working.

He said: "Abandoned cars are both an eyesore to communities and a potential danger to people.

"The council is delighted at its early success and would urge everyone to take advantage of this amnesty."

Similar operations across the Easington and Durham areas last year took more than 100 unwanted vehicles off the roads.

Anyone wishing to take advantage of the scheme should contact the council on (01207) 218795, during normal office hours.