A newspaper campaign to rid a town’s streets of dumped cars has received a boost in an unexpected phone call – from the Prime Minister.

Tony Blair rang the Colchester Evening Gazette and said: “Well done on your campaign. I think it is absolutely right. This is a very important issue for people.”

In his call to editor Irene Kettle, Mr Blair revealed that a pilot scheme to clamp abandoned cars in London could be in force in Colchester within months.

The money to pay for the clamping and removal of dumped cars would come from fines handed out for anti-social behaviour, like dog fouling and parking offences.

The Gazette’s campaign began after several complaints were made by readers, when a string of cars were left on St Anne’s estate in the town.

As well as being an eye-sore the vehicles have also caused residents trouble in getting out of their driveways.

At the moment the police and the county council can do nothing to remove them as they are still taxed and they can not get hold of the owner.

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