CLAPPED-out cars will be collected, free of charge, to be disposed of in Wyre Forest District Council's latest abandoned vehicles amnesty.

Following the success of the 2006 campaign, from now until until New Year's Eve, the cars will be collected as part of the authority's commitment to improving the environment.

The amnesty at the same time last year saw more than 100 vehicles that were set for the scrap heap picked up.

Conservative councillor, Marcus Hart, the district council's cabinet member for property and operational services, said: "Abandoned vehicles do concern residents. When people dump their old banger, it lowers the tone of their neighbourhood and becomes a tempting target for anti-social behaviour.

"Last year, we picked up more than 100 cars which could have ended up abandoned. We also want to raise awareness of how people can responsibly dispose of cars and how to report abandoned vehicles.

"With our residents' help, we are improving the environment."

Owners of the unwanted vehicles must have the log book for the car to take advantage of the offer and vehicles must be complete. The cars will be disposed of by Kidderminster Car Dismantlers.

They remove all the 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 recycled.

To complete the process, the registered keeper of the vehicle will receive a Certificate of Destruction.

Since April last year, the council has had greater powers to remove abandoned cars from the streets, under the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005.

The law means an abandoned car can be removed immediately and the owner can be issued with a fine of £200. They will also have to pay to get the car back and for the storage of the vehicle.

Residents can report an abandoned vehicle by calling customer services on 01562 732928 or by filling in an online form on the council's website, at www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk.

Anyone wanting to arrange the collection of an unwanted vehicle should call Kidderminster Car Dismantlers on 01562 755929.

Is the amnesty a good idea? E-mail clive.joyce@midlands.newsquest.co.uk with your views.