POLICE and residents are urging rogue motorcyclists to stay away from an unofficial bike track on the site of Bishop Auckland's new football ground.

People in Tindale Crescent say they have been plagued by noise from dozens of bikers racing and performing stunts on former colliery land.

A residents' association meeting on Tuesday called for action against the bikers, who visit the site on Sundays, bank holidays and summer evenings.

Secretary Colin Jeffrey said: "It has been going on for three years and it is at its worst during the summer.

"The problem is, it is an ideal spot for them because there is part of the old pit heap and the rest is on different levels making natural jumps.

"They have a tyres laid out to form a course. The noise is unbelievable.

"They turn up with trailer loads of bikes and there is nothing to stop them getting on. They even bring picnics. It goes on from morning until night.

"It needs proper fencing to keep them off."

The site is owned by Durham County Council until it is sold to Bishop Auckland Football Club, who were granted planning permission last week for their new stadium and car park.

Beat officer PC Bill Lavery said colleagues at Bishop Auckland police station had taken three complaints about the noise last weekend.

He said: "The problem is, it is private land and we have no powers to move them off.

"We can only ask them to stay away because it is clearly upsetting the residents of Tindale Crescent.

"The noise pollution has started to get ridiculous. It is the biggest problem we have in Tindale Crescent at the moment.

"We have powers in place if they are on the highway. But the site is private land and it is up to the owner, which is Durham County Council, to prosecute for trespassing offences."

A council spokesman said last night that the residents' complaints had not been reported to them.

He said: "Although we haven't been approached, we will ask the police to do what they can to minimise the problem."