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 on Tuesday, 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."

Possible initiatives include charging landowners to recover the costs of removing cars dumped on private land and increased co-operation between local authorities and the Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

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