A SHARP increase in the number of abandoned vehicles in South Lakeland could drain hundreds of thousands of pounds from the public purse over the coming year, reports Beth Broomby.

Over the last two months South Lakeland has seen the number of cars dumped in lay-bys, roads and fields double and council officers are struggling to keep pace.

Early estimates show more than 1,000 unwanted vehicles look likely to be abandoned over the next 12 months costing South Lakeland District Council around £200 each to deal with.

SLDC cleansing transport services manager Lawrence Conway said, until last month around five dumped cars and vans turned up in the district each week.

Now the figure is closer to 20.

As previously reported in the Citizen's sister paper The Westmorland Gazette, the falling price of scrap metal means scrap merchants are becoming more likely to charge people than pay them in order to tow their car away.

Mr Conway said: "As people have become aware they can't take their old banger to the scrap merchant and get £50 for it.

They have started dumping their cars because it isn't worth their while to have them towed away.

"The problem is then left at the doorstep of local authorities to deal with."

In response to the nationwide problem, the government has introduced new legislation helping local authorities to cut red tape and get dumped cars off the streets more cheaply and quickly.

But despite their new powers SLDC is still struggling to keep pace.

SLDC director of Commercial Services Mike Jones said: " I was astonished when I saw the figures for this district.

We suffer because of the appeal of the Lake District.

A number of the cars have been taken by joy riders who are attracted to the area and dump their cars when they get here."

Mr Jones said: "The problem with this situation is, for all the money spent on removing vehicles, there is no benefit to the community.

That money could all be going elsewhere."

Incoming European legislation also means the Lake District could be in danger of developing a scrap-car mountain.

The new "end-of-life" vehicle legislation - due to be enacted by 2006 - will force manufacturers to use more recycled materials and ensure more car parts are remodelled and used again.

Only approved premises will be licensed to dispose of vehicles in accordance with stringent environmental standards.

SLDC head of contract services Chris Fidler said if the authority could not find an authorised reprocessor it could be faced with having to "stock pile" vehicles before sending them elsewhere.