OWNERS of vehicles no longer fit for the road are being given a month's grace so the redundant vehicles can be disposed of.

Wyre Forest District Council is having a month-long amnesty during May, targeting cars and vans that should be heading for the scrap heap.

Throughout that period, the council is offering to take unwanted vehicles off their owners' hands, free of charge, provided they have the logbooks.

District residents are also being asked to play a part in the campaign by reporting any abandoned vehicles they spot.

The aim of the campaign is to tackle arson and vandalism, which are both problems associated with vehicles that have been dumped by their owners.

Last year, the council received around one inquiry each day about abandoned vehicles, as it was notified about a total of almost 350 in the course of the year.

Cars collected as a result of the amnesty will be disposed of by Kidderminster Car Dismantlers.

The company will remove all dangerous materials, such as petrol, oil, brake-fluid and batteries from the vehicles and recycle them before the car body is crushed and the metal is recycled.

Residents can report an abandoned vehicle by calling the council's customer services department on 01562 732928.

They can also fill in an online form on the council's website at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk

Anyone who wants to arrange for an unwanted vehicle to be collected can call Kidderminster Car Dismantlers on 01562 755929.