YOUTHS racing motorbikes across a recreation area are putting children's lives in danger, say worried residents.

They want the teenage terrors to stop racing their scramblers and quad bikes on fields off Eatock Way, Westhoughton, which is used daily by both families and dog walkers.

The noisy bikes are also disturbing the surrounding neighbours and can be heard almost every weekend and some nights during the week.

Resident and former local councillor David Chadwick is particularly concerned that the youths could end up knocking somebody over. Children often feed the ducks at the nearby pond.

He said: "The youths think it is great for them to race on this open piece of land, but there is a blatant disregard for people's safety.

"The peace and tranquillity of the area is also being ruined and I have had complaints about the noise.

"I want police officers to come down and look at the site and see what they can do to stop this."

Mr Chadwick raised the matter at the town hall after one resident rang the police and claimed to have been told there was nothing they could do.

Community safety chief and member of the police authority, Cllr Frank White, apologised and suggested that Mr Chadwick writes a formal letter to the chief constable.

He said: "Without a doubt young people congregating and causing crime or fear of crime is the one issue which is causing concern in every part of the borough.

"The area operations should have responded. Unfortunately there are failures but we are meeting the majority of our targets.

"The council is working with the police and councillors to eradicate these problems but it is a marathon, not a sprint."