UNLESS the owner can be traced, abandoned cars will be taken away and scrapped, says East Hampshire District Council.

The warning comes after cars were left in the Heath car park off Sussex Road, and St Peter’s Road in Petersfield.

A council spokesman said: “We check with the DVLA to find the last registered keeper of that car.

“We then write to them giving them a limited period of time to get back in touch with us and claim the car. That time limit can be either seven days or 15 days depending if it is on public or private land.

“If we do not hear from them we declare the car to be abandoned and arrange for it to be taken away.”

The cars are then scrapped.

Owners who don’t move vehicles they have left, can face bills for removal and scrapping, which can run into hundreds of pounds.

The removal service is run by Havant Borough Council on behalf of East Hampshire District Council.