THE circumstances surrounding a car which was abandoned in a County Durham village’s beck remain a mystery.

Esperley resident, John Hartley discovered what he believed to be a green Mercedes car abandoned in the stream at the bottom of Cockfield, in Teesdale, while walking his dog Alfie, on Wednesday.

The 67-year-old said: “I don’t know how they’ve gotten down there.

“I did think it was strange.”

A police spokesman confirmed the car had not been reported as stolen and Durham County Council also confirmed they have had no reports of incident.

Ian Hoult, the council’s neighbourhood protection manager, said: “We take all reports of abandoned vehicles seriously and carry out investigations into each.

“We would remind people that there are plenty of ways to dispose of vehicles that are no longer roadworthy or they no longer want.”

To report an abandoned vehicle or for more information visit durham.gov.uk/abandonedvehicles