REDDITCH fire crews are still dealing with more car fires than any other station in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

Before Christmas crews had nearly one call every night to douse car blazes according to station officer Mark Preece of Redditch Fire Station.

The news comes with the re-launch of an annual amnesty designed to encourage townsfolk to scrap old cars free of charge.

Operation Fire Safe, a joint effort between the fire brigade, police and Redditch and Bromsgrove Councils, should reduce the number of call-outs according to Mr Preece.

He added: "We average about 150 or 160 car fires a year here in Redditch, more than anywhere else in the brigade.

"People can't be bothered to pay to get their old cars scrapped and we get the consequences when they get dumped and torched, especially when it's dark in the winter."

Dealing with abandoned and dumped cars, currently costs the borough and county councils more than £100,000 a year.

Guy Revans, head of Environmental Services at Redditch Council said: "The annual amnesty has always been very well supported by local people and plays an important part in helping us to improve community safety, tackle anti-social behaviour and combat the expensive problem of abandoned and unwanted vehicles."

To scrap a car call 534192. The amnesty will run until Friday, January 28.