CLEVELAND police have declared an amnesty in an attempt to retrieve hundreds of missing traffic cones.

Sgt Dave Hill, of Thornaby Police, said: "Hundreds of cones have vanished into thin air over the past few years.

"We believe people have simply picked them up to keep as a souvenir following a night out.

"Despite our best efforts we have recovered very few, in fact some that we have actually come across have been renegades from forces throughout the north.

"It is as big a mystery as the elephant's graveyard - where are all these cones going to and can we have them back?"

On a more serious note, police say the cones cost £30 each and are essential to the successful policing of the force.

Last year travellers attending Yarm Fair gave £500 towards the cost of providing cones and the police want to ensure that they remain in use.

Sgt Hill added: "We do know some people have taken cones for various uses and that is why we are holding a no-questions-asked amnesty.

"We will be only too pleased to get them back and we would even make arrangements to have them collected."

Members of the public can hand any cones in to their nearest police station, or telephone Sgt Dave Hill on 01642 326326.