BOY racers are to be locked out of a Barnoldswick park, police have revealed.

People living around Letcliffe Park have been complaining about joy riders driving cars, motorbikes and quad bikes across the grass, anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.

Police today said action was being taken after more complaints at last week's West Craven Committee meeting and urged the community to support them.

And officers said they were increasing patrols and working with the council to get boy racers locked out of the park.

West Craven's Community Sgt Andy Cartwright said: "This is a problem which has been highlighted at PACT meetings by a number of members of the community.

"They said they were having problems with people using vehicles and off road bikes on the park.

"The entrance to the park will be bolted, which would restrict the vehicles being able to get on to the grassed areas.

"It is within the parks department's remit to try and sort that out for us.

"There are vehicle police patrols in the area and the PCSO Sean Goddard has done a leaflet drop to all residents asking for their support in the campaign."

The clampdown follows officers' decision to gate Fernbank Mill car park in November after residents of Fernbank Avenue were plagued by boy racers speeding down their street to perform stunts in the car park.

Craven councillor David Whipp welcomed the move. He said: "We've persistently had problems with boy racers going round on the grass.

"Police have been very supportive.

"We're putting physical obstructions around the perimeter of the area.

"The issue of boy racers extends over a wide area. They tend to move at speed on the road approaching the area. We've had similar problems in Greenberfield Lane.

"A concerted effort is being made between the council and police to try to deal with this in an effective way."