A MASSIVE clampdown on abandoned cars is to be launched by Redditch Council after it was revealed the escalating problem was costing more than £50,000 a year.

Car owners responsible for dumping vehicles will face steep fines as part of the crackdown, which will see closer liaison between the council and other agencies, including the police.

Redditch councillors on the public and environmental services committee are set to agree the huge shake-up during a meeting next week.

Chairman Ken Somner said: "Abandoned cars is an escalating problem in Redditch and it's starting to get completely out of hand.

"We want to clean up the town and make people realise they can't just dump their cars where they want to."

Mr Somner said he had urged officers dealing with the collection, storage and disposal of abandoned cars to get as tough as they like.

The number of complaints Redditch Council has received about abandoned cars has also risen sharply from 555 in 1998-99 to 2,076 in 200-01.

And the number of vehicles which end up being scrapped has risen from 88 in 1998-99 to 408 in 2000-01.

Mr Somner added: "We will work with other agencies to find out who is responsible. This is a big clampdown, we need to stop these verge vandals."