RED tape is stopping this abandoned car from being moved from the middle of a busy roundabout.

The Suzuki Alto has been on top of the roundabout, near Tesco’s Hythe supermarket, since the end of November.

Colchester Council is ready to move the car, but it can’t until it gets the all clear from police.

Police have slapped a “police aware” sticker on the car, but the council is still waiting for the green light to move it.

Tim Young, borough councillor for St Andrew’s, has had a number of complaints about the car.

He said: “They might be aware, but they’re not doing anything about it.”

In the lead-up to Christmas, a resident decided to give the car a Christmassy look and put tinsel on it.

About two weeks ago, the car’s rear window was smashed.

Mr Young said: “It is probably due to a lack of police resources and it’s not high priority for them, but it’s not a very nice sight.”

A police spokesman said: “We will be making inquiries to try and resolve this issue as quickly as we can.”