Owners of untaxed cars abandoned in an area without parking restrictions are facing prosecution.

People living around the Essex Street and Upper Bedford Street areas of Kemp Town, Brighton, have had their lives made a misery by untaxed, abandoned and wrecked cars taking up valuable parking spaces.

However, since their plight was revealed in The Argus two weeks ago, the city council's parking officers have visited the area and reported to the DVLA six cars they found untaxed.

The owners may be prosecuted.

The area is a parking nightmare for residents. Because there are no parking restrictions, workers from surrounding businesses and the nearby hospital use parking spaces.

Residents have also blamed three nearby garages for using the spaces to park their customers' cars, though the garages say they are parked legally.

Residents want parking restrictions in the area and members of the Essex Place Tenants' Association are planning to meet environment councillor Chris Morley to discuss the problem.

Members said cars have parked over fire hydrants and blocked access to flats, as well as on double yellow lines and pavements.

The association, which represents people at the 128 flats at Essex Place in Essex Street, said the parking problems have led to vehicle crime in the area, including abandoned vehicles being set alight.

Sam Tuck, secretary of the association, emphasised the need for parking restrictions in the area.

He said: "We would like to see it made into a residents' parking area.

"We do not want to see parking spaces taken up by untaxed cars.

"People want the council to do something about it.

"If you have a house in Essex Street and if you are a tax payer you should able to park as near as possible to your property.

"We want illegal parking stopped."

Coun Morley said he hopes to meet residents next week and be taken on a tour of the area to see the problems for himself.

He said: "I am happy to do that and I have an open mind as to the situation and look forward to hearing local people's comments."