POLICE are warning motorcyclists in east Cleveland that they face prosecution if they are caught biking on off-road areas.

A meeting of Loftus Road Safety Committee was told that a number of bikes have been checked in the Wood Road area, which is used by pedestrians for getting between Loftus and Skinningrove.

There are also problems at Liverton Mines industrial estate and Grosvenor Road at Carlin How.

Councillor Eric Jackson, the mayor of Loftus, said he believed the motorcyclists were a danger to pedestrians.

Sergeant Richard Schofield, from Loftus police, said: "The police are aware of this problem, and if anyone is found we will take firm action against them."