A crackdown on roadside car sales could soon see the end of the illegal trade.

Using new powers, Bradford Council is to slap fines on the dealers, who often masquerade as private sellers.

And the culprits could end up in court.

Council officers will even telephone the numbers displayed in the car windows to catch the rogue sellers in action.

And if they cannot track the sellers down this way, police could be asked to hand over details of the registered owner.

Individuals will still be allowed to place one car for sale at the side of the road.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "Using grass verges or pavements to sell cars is a problem in Bradford, particularly on the gateway routes into the city.

"The Council is working hard to put a stop to the practice.

"We currently stick legal notices on the cars asking the car owners to remove the vehicle within 24 hours, and we also try to contact them directly.

"The cars are usually removed without us having to take any more action.

"The new Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act makes it an offence to sell two or more vehicles from the highway and gives the Council further powers to prosecute or issue fixed-penalty tickets.

"The Council will shortly be using fixed penalties of between £75 and £90 on people who sell cars on the highway."

Up until last month it was not an offence to sell a car on the roadside unless the vehicle was dangerous or lacked insurance or an MoT.

But new laws make it illegal for one person to sell two cars or more on the same stretch of road. It is hoped the legislation will stamp out roadside car dealers.

John Harrison is one resident who has complained to Bradford Council over persistent car sales on the grass verge alongside Whitehall Road in Wyke.

"There is a different car for sale every week," he said.

"I have raised the issue with the Council and Trading Standards as someone is operating a business from an unlicensed site."

Council officers have promised to visit Wyke this week and take further action if necessary.

e-mail: jo.winrow @bradford.newsquest.co.uk

WHAT THE LAW SAYS

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 states that some garages and other businesses which sell cars at times park them for long periods on the road.

This can be a nuisance to local residents.

It is an offence for a person to park motor vehicles on a road both carriageway and pavement where the vehicles are parked merely in order to be sold.

There must be two or more vehicles within 500 metres of each other for an offence to be committed. It is not aimed at individuals selling cars privately.