George Stuart, 46, the owner of The Melbourne Hotel, in Stockton Road, Hartlepool, doesn't know what to do with the black P-Reg Saab.

And despite being told by police at a recent meeting of the Hartlepool Licensees' Association to be cautious of suspicious vehicles, officers say they can't do anything about it.

The Saab 900 XS has been in the car park, which is to the rear of the hotel, off Blakelock Gardens, for more than a week.

George, who lives at the hotel, said: "I don't think there is a bomb in it or anything like that but you have to be careful these days.

"We are full to capacity at the moment and the car is taking up a valuable car parking space.

"When I rang the police they said it isn't their responsibility but they did check the car with the DVLA.

"It came back as having no registered owner and the car had been given a statutory off road notice."

Statutory off road notices are issued for cars that are kept on
private land and don't need to be taxed.

The car, which has new tyres, alloys, and exhaust, is in good condition and was taxed for six months at the Rift House Estate Post Office, in Oxford Road, Hartlepool, on Friday, February 8.

George said: "The bizarre thing is that it was taxed on the morning and dumped with us on the same

afternoon and the owner must have declared it as being off the road the same day.

"If it was any old banger I wouldn't be that bothered but it is a nice motor.

"It is my land but I have been told I can't get rid of the car because it isn't on public land."

A spokesman for the DVLA said: "If the car has been issued with a statutory off road notice then we don't have any power to remove the car from private land.

"We can only remove cars with a notice if they are on the public highway. If it is in a private car park then it sounds like a civil matter.

"If Mr Stuart wants to contact us we can try and put him in touch with the previous owner."

A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesman said: "There may be limitations
as to how much the council can get involved.
"But we are willing to discuss the matter with Mr Stuart to see if we can help in any way."