Fire chiefs fear lives are being put at risk by the growing trend of motorists burning their unwanted cars.

Officers believe new health and safety regulations governing the disposal of scrap metal have contributed to a rise in the number of car fires because drivers do not want to pay to have them scrapped.

A report by East Sussex Fire Authority says vehicle fires increased by 29 per cent in 2000. More than 1,200 cars, vans, lorries and buses were set alight.

Firefighters suspect many of the fires were caused by the owners of the vehicles.

Alan McCormack, East Sussex chief fire officer, said this had put his crews and the public in serious danger.

He said the brigade was working with police to beat the problem.

Mr McCormack said: "Modern vehicles are often fitted with plastic, which give off a toxic smoke.

"My crews always wear breathing apparatus when dealing with car fires because of the toxicity.

"It's not just an East Sussex issue - it's something which is affecting the whole country."

Mr McCormack said new health and safety regulations - which force scrap merchants to make added checks to ensure scrapped cars are made safe - were a reason for the rise.

He said scrap dealers now charged motorists to take cars away but many people tried to avoid paying by dumping their vehicles and setting fire to them.

Officers also suspect some of the fires are started by people trying to make fraudulent insurance claims.