A BLITZ on Burnley's plague of abandoned cars has been announced by the town's council leader after a new law was passed giving local authorities more clout.

Labour leader Councillor Stuart Caddy said: "Abandoned cars are a blight on Burnley.

"They drag our local communities down and can be hazardous, especially to children.

"Those who dump cars are spoiling Burnley for the rest of us. Abandoned cars then become a magnet for further anti-social behaviour.

"They are arson attacks waiting to happen and make the lives of local people a misery."

The law means the council can remove abandoned cars after 24 hours instead of seven days, have increased opportunities to work with the DVLA to remove unlicensed cars, powers to remove unlicensed vehicles after seven days instead of 35, easier to tracing and clarification of vehicle ownership through an 'Invest to Save' programme.

The changes follow a government consultation launched in October 2001 to investigate how abandoned cars could be better dealt with.

Coun Caddy added: "Burnley Council will be among the first in the country to take advantage of the new law which is an example of our Labour Government working in partnership with local events to clean up our streets and build safer communities.

"Our blitz on abandoned cars is an important part of our safer streets agenda for Burnley."

A further improvement on the horizon also likely to be of benefit to Burnley's streets will be government reforms to the vehicle registration system so all can be traced to the correct keeper.

Transport Secretary Stephen Buyers, added: "The principles of this were widely supported in the consultation exercise.

"We will discuss the details with interested parties, particularly motorists and businesses."