TEN untaxed vehicles have been removed from Wiltshire's streets since the council was given new enforcement powers in September 2014.

Vehicles were removed from Cricklade, Melksham and Chippenham when it was discovered their tax was out of date.

The owners had either failed to tax them or had declared them off road by making a statutory off road notification, but still parked them on the highway.

Eight of the vehicles were scrapped, while two were reclaimed after the payment of fees and storage costs to the council.

Wiltshire Council now deals with untaxed vehicles under devolved powers from the DVLA to use the Vehicle Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal of Vehicles) Regulations 1997.

Under these powers the council can take action against any untaxed vehicle at the time it is inspected.

If the council clamps or removes a vehicle, it can be reclaimed by the owner on payment of a statutory fee and evidence that the vehicle has valid tax. Any unclaimed vehicles are scrapped.

Anyone can check the tax status of a vehicle on the DVLA website at gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax