A SUMMER-LONG crackdown succeeded in driving boy racers out of the centre of Bishop Auckland, police claim.

Motorists were prosecuted and given tickets for a range of offences during the four months from May to August, reducing the number of complaints from people living and working in the town.

But residents and traders say they have noticed the problem recurring in recent weeks, particularly when the North Bondgate car park has been left open at night.

One Bondgate businessman claimed the noise and disturbance had worsened when he spoke at a traders' meeting on Monday.

He said: "It has brought no relief. At the moment it is worse because they are leaving the car park open.

"If they haven't had complaints, it is because we haven't been able to get through to the police station on the phone."

The police operation was mounted under the Durham force's StreetSafe initiative.

During the four months 109 tickets were issued for 'static' offences such as parking on the pavement or obstructing traffic.

Another 49 drivers were handed fixed penalty notices for moving offences including using a mobile phone while driving or ignoring a traffic sign.

Court action has been taken against ten others for more serious offences which carry endorsements, such as dangerous driving, and 43 vehicle owners have been handed notices warning them to correct faults.

Bishop Auckland's community inspector Ian Butler said that irresponsible behaviour had been causing real problems for people living and working in the town centre.

He said: "In the three months leading up to the operation we had literally dozens of complaints, but there has been a significant improvement since then.

"The drivers were invariably young men aged between 17 and 25, racing their cars through the town.

"The enforcement side of the operation will continue as long as necessary."