Part of AgustaWestland resembled a film set last week when an anti-car dump strategy was promoted.

The problem of abandoned vehicles has been well documented over the last three or four years, and last week's initiative was to:

Promote a strategy that sees abandoned cars removed quicker

Stress the various dangers posed by abandoned vehicles

Promote a low-cost collection and disposal service.

South Somerset District Council is part of Somerset Car Clear Partnership, which also involves other local authorities, the police and the fire brigade.

Many abandoned cars are set on fire, which creates yet more hazards.

Last week's media briefing included a re-enactment of what often happens when a car is dumped.

Three Westland employees played the role of car thieves and vandals. They drove car to a pre-selected spot and abandoned it while television cameras were rolling.

Real police officers arrived to inspect the car, but before it had been removed vandals set it on fire.

Well, that was the plan. But something happened that wasn't in the script. Before the car had been set on fire, the fire engine summoned for the exercise set off without warning to attend a real fire somewhere in the Yeovil area.

The fire brigade officer-turned-film director looked decidedly unhappy as the search for a replacement engine would undoubtedly delay proceedings.

At this stage, some of the media pack and invited guests (including yours truly) had to leave in order to attend pre-arranged engagements, which sounded like a good excuse as the rain was quite heavy at this stage.

Somerset Fire Brigade has welcomed the district council initiative to reduce the number of abandoned vehicles.

People dumping unwanted cars and unscrupulous dealers, who strip cars and abandon them, have become a real problem.

Community fire safety officer Chris Snook said: "This creates a dangerous hazard for children and wildlife, especially when the vehicles are set on fire.

"Car fires not only cost a lot of money to deal with, they could also cost lives. Firefighters need to be available to deal with life-threatening situations and not called away to needless deliberate fires."

South Somerset District Council has introduced a low-cost removal and disposal scheme.

For a fee of £20 plus VAT, the car will be taken away and disposed of at a fully licensed facility.

Environmental Health Manager, Adrian Gardner said: "The knock-on environmental problems associated with vehicle abandonment are very serious,

"Dumped cars that are set alight cause pollution of the atmosphere, leaving toxic residues on the ground and cause damage to the highways, fences and buildings. The cost to the community is significant.

"Abandoning a car is a criminal offence and South Somerset District Council is seeking to prosecute offenders.

"We often have to dispose of vehicles which have been dumped by their owner or an unscrupulous dealer who stripped the car of anything worthwhile."

There were 2,000 reports of abandoned vehicles in South Somerset last year, with the council organising removal for 900 of them.

A fast-track removal scheme was introduced in January this year, enabling the removal of abandoned cars in 24 hours, or even less if authorised by police.

Anyone caught dumping a vehicle could face three months in prison or a fine of up to £2,500.

Information about the low-cost scheme is available from the council on 01935 462 793