IT TAKES just 60 seconds to transform an abandoned family saloon into a compact cube of twisted metal.

And that is exactly what could happen to your car if you do not have a valid tax disc displayed on your windscreen.

Southampton City Council, the DVLA and Hampshire police have launched a tough new campaign to clamp down on car tax cheats and motorists who abandon their cars in the city.

At the launch of the latest Clean Sweep initiative, a mobile crusher was used to dispose of cars collected by the council.

From October 9, an enforcement team will be patrolling the city and any car not displaying a tax disc will be clamped.

The cost to have the clamp removed is £68 for immediate release, rising to £500 after 35 days.

Any vehicles that are not claimed will be crushed and even those who decide to have their cars destroyed rather than pay to have their vehicle released will have to pay back duty owed or face court action.

The head of enforcement at DVLA in Swansea, Haydn Madoc, said: "In Hampshire we are currently losing £6.5 million a year in revenue and we estimate there are up to 60,000 vehicles on the road in the Hampshire area not displaying a valid tax disc.

"This is a major problem, but motorists should be aware that the net is now closing in."

Environment executive member and councillor Richard Will-iams said: "This latest initiative is building on what we have done in the past and we welcome the chance to work with the police and the DVLA to tackle this problem."

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