A scheme to remove abandoned cars from the streets of Yarmouth has seen 471 vehicles being crushed, impounded or recycled into children's playgrounds so far this year.

A scheme to remove abandoned cars from the streets of Yarmouth has seen 471 vehicles being crushed, impounded or recycled so far this year.

The town's car clear partnership is a joint effort between the police, fire service and the borough council to rid the community of dumped cars before they are set light by arsonists, become vandalised or block up valuable parking spaces.

Since the project was launched in February 2004, the number of car fires in the Yarmouth has plummeted by 78.8pc.

Any abandoned cars seized by the police or council end up being crushed to bits, kept at a council pound or recycled, with car tyres being shredded to make parts of children's playgrounds.