CARAVAN owners using council land for winter storage are being ordered off after complaints from other residents.

Sedgefield Borough Council is mounting a crackdown on vans parked illegally on grassed areas and car parks on many housing estates.

They say the problem is particularly acute in the Newton Aycliffe area.

A spokesman for the borough's tenancy enforcement team, said: "It has reached the stage where we must take action.

"Caravans are unsightly and obstructive to other residents. We have received complaints about caravans parked in car parks where they are taking up valuable spaces meant for cars."

The council will trace the caravan owners through the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, in Swansea, and they will then be given 28 days to move them off.

If the caravan has no index plate a notice will be attached to it. If it is not removed after seven days the council will arrange for it to be moved at the owner's cost.

Contact the tenancy enforcement team on 01388 816166, extension 4232.