THE number of abandoned vehicles being reported to Malvern Hills District Council has risen substantially since the Malvern Gazette reported on a 20-year-old who had his car towed away and crushed.

The council says it warned Wayne Harker several times before crushing his car, which was parked without tax or MOT on a forecourt in Buckingham Close. He wants compensation.

MHDC head of customer and environmental services Ivor Pumfrey said publicity around the incident seemed to have brought out a silent majority'.

"The story has had a remarkable effect in driving up the number of abandoned vehicles being reported to us," he said.