POLICE are warning motorcycle scramblers in Burnley that they risk having their bikes seized or facing a fine of up to £1,000.

The move follows complaints by residents in the Kibble Bank and Clockhouse Estate area about motorcyclists driving irresponsibly and causing noise and harassment.

Community Beat manager Andy Prescott said: "The scrambling is causing considerable problems for local residents. The last thing we want to do is fine people or worse still, take their bikes off them, but unless the cyclists stop driving irresponsible, that is what we will have to do."

Andy was particularly keen to appeal to parents.

He said: "I would urge the parents of these young motorcyclists to keen an eye on them and do what they can go make sure they are not causing a nuisance for other residents in the area."

Parents of children in Little Tom's Lane, which is one of the worst effected streets as it leads to the fields, have said they are fed up of the scramblers.

Rickie Hexham, 33, who has a young disabled daughter, said: "They are up and down here all the time. We don't have fences round our gardens so we are constantly having to watch our children in case they run out.

"The kids on the bikes don't wear helmets and have no registration plates so they are obviously not legal. It is really dangerous. Our children have only got this area to play because there's no parks nearby.

"I don't think warning them about being fined will make any difference either."

Neighbour Rachel Andrew, 32, who has three children, said: "It is very dangerous the speed they go up and down past our houses. We have complained about the speed on here before not just for the bikes but for the cars as well. One or two who used to be idiots have slowed down but there are still some speeding up and down. It's been on going for about six years on and off."

Mark Shapland, 33, lives near to the fields which the scramblers head for at the top of the Clockhouse Estate.

He said: "They come speeding passed my house three or four times a day. We can't have a windows open at the front because of the noise. It's also quite dangerous because there kids playing outside the houses.

"There are usually two of them on each bike.

"If this stops them doing it's a good thing."

He also appealed for anyone with information about the identity of the youths to contact him.

He said: "If anyone knows the motorcyclists responsible for these problems, then I would very much like to hear from them.

"They can contact me at the police station on 01282 472975."