THE number of unwanted cars abandoned in the Chiltern district is set to rocket over the next 12 months.

Chiltern district councillors have been warned that 380 vehicles are likely to be illegally dumped this year compared with 32 just two years ago and 132 in 1999/2000.

These figures have been used to estimate the projected rise.

At a meeting of Chiltern District Council's Environmental Services Committee, it was decided more drastic action was needed to halt the worrying trend.

Cllr Derek Lacey (Res, Pond Park, Chesham) said: "I went around Chesham today and I took note of eight dumped vehicles.

"I think we've got to do something and do it quick."

Currently district councils have a legal duty to remove vehicles which have been illegally dumped on public land and highways.

Cllr Alan Walters (Lib Dem, Townsend, Chesham) estimated the cost to the district council of dealing with 380 dumped cars could total as much as £90,000.

He added: "I wonder if we could take this back to the old way of trying to get people to take their unwanted vehicles to the scrap yard."

The committee decided that it would monitor the practices of Aylesbury Vale District Council which has adopted a less formal approach with a contractor to remove dumped vehicles.