THE law must be changed to stop online car sellers cluttering streets with their vehicles, an MP has said.

Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris is campaigning for a change in legislation after residents in the borough raised concerns about internet dealers blocking their streets with cars and vans for sale.

The law currently forbids people from putting adverts in two or more cars within 500 metres of one another, but makes no provision for those that are advertised online.

The Conservative MP believes the law needs updating to take into account the internet.

She is asking for a face-to-face meeting with Richard Benyon, minister for the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, who is responsible for parking policy.

She said: “It does seem to me the legislation needs updating.

“It is causing a real frustration for residents in more than one street in the borough. While the local council is trying to deal with it and enforcement action can be taken against the practice, I am frustrated it is a more complicated process for councils than it should be.”

In a response to a written question put forward by the Castle Point MP, Mr Benyon said he had received no representations from other authorities.

However, the problem is so bad in central London, Westminster Council is applying to pass its own by-laws to clamp down on the practice.

Mrs Harris said: “I think it’s quite a new problem.

“Councils passing their own by-laws is fine but I think this problem needs a national solution.”

June Fordham, 54, of Lansdown Avenue, Hadleigh, has put up with an online seller leaving as many as eight vehicles in her street, although the number of vehicles has decreased recently following a story in the Echo.

She said: “Good on her for trying to do something. We’ve reported it to trading standards, the police, the council but no one wants to do anything. It’s really frustrating living next to a car lot.”