A motorist is still battling for compensation from Oxford City Council nine months after it scrapped his car.

In May, the council mistook Martin Young's badly vandalised blue Ford Escort estate for an abandoned vehicle in a private road off Headington Hill.

Since then Mr Young has been demanding compensation for the mistake, as well as proof that the council followed the correct procedures.

According to the council's policy on abandoned vehicles, an officer will go out to inspect the vehicle and post a notice on the vehicle or with the owner of the land if it is private.

If the owner of the vehicle fails to come forward within 10 working days, arrangements are made to remove it.

However, if the vehicle has a valid tax disk, which Mr Young's car had, then the council should report it to the police.

Mr Young, of Headington Hill, said: "I never saw a notice on my car and neither did my neighbour.

"I'm being stonewalled. They just keep saying that procedures were followed. But until I see a copy of the notices served they have no proof it was."

Mr Young admits the car was in a bad state following a vandalism attack, which left the windscreen and windows smashed.

He added: "It was broken down, but I was going to repair it when I had the money. I wanted to try and keep it going as long as I could.

"It was a perfectly good car. I feel the council took it and scrapped it without following the correct procedures and they are now liable replace it."

A city council spokesman said Mr Young's car was removed as it was considered a risk to public safety.

He said: "The council acted lawfully and within its powers according to the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and Refuse Disposal (Amenity) Act 1978.

"We have been in contact with Mr Young directing him to the relevant legislation which allowed for the removal of this vehicle."