UNWANTED cars could be removed for free in an attempt to reduce the number of cars abandoned in a city.

Councillors in York are being asked to agree to investigate a car amnesty scheme.

More than 1,200 reports of abandoned cars have been received during the past year and steps have already been taken to reduce the length of time they are left, by extending the collection service to weekends and removing high risk vehicles within 24 hours.

If agreed, the amnesty scheme could see the council collecting unwanted cars from residents, possibly for a minimal charge.

The concept has already been used successfully in a number of areas, including Hull and Walsall