POLICE have warned that they will take a tough line with motorcyclists whose dangerous actions are putting lives at risk.

Officers from North Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lancashire are planning a crackdown on anti-social riders, spoiling life for residents in the Yorkshire Dales.

Among the main target areas in the latest Bike Safe operation will be the notorious A684 road through Wensleydale, particularly between Leyburn and Sedburgh.

North Yorkshire traffic sergeant John Lumbard said: "The group who are causing us most concern now are younger sports bike riders - men in their 20s and early 30s.

"They have machines that can attain phenomenal speeds, with handling and braking to match, but we are noticing a growing trend for such riders to bring inappropriate and excessive speed to country roads. We don't want it and we won't have it."

The clampdown will run from Easter to October, with a range of speed detection equipment and video cameras being used on the favourite roads of bikers visiting the area.