CONSERVATIVES have called on the council to take action to curb a rise in abandoned vehicles left in the borough.

Since January 2,612 cars have been abandoned in the borough, a figure not reached until June 1 last year,

It is thought the problem started with government legislation to phase out leaded petrol cars and a fall in scrap metal prices.

Cllr Peggy Ford said: 'The number of cars being abandoned in Enfield is rising sharply, and shows no sign of slowing down.

'People are paying the price of failed government policies and administrative incompetence, with wrecked cars littering the streets.'