POLICE have arrested one driver and warned several others after 250 car enthusiasts gathered at a retail park.

Officers were called to the Team Valley retail park in Gateshead on Sunday (March 8) evening after a large number of drivers congregated in the car parks.

One man was arrested and charged with driving over the speed limit and another three were given warnings for careless driving.

A further two were reported for driving offences and three were referred for driver awareness courses.

One car, a Vauxhall Corsa, was seized by police after they discovered the car, which was registered as a standard 1.4-litre vehicle, had been fitted with a turbo charged 2.0-litre engine among a series of modifications.

Chief Inspector John Heckels said: “Officers observed some of the group driving dangerously and so action was taken against those who were committing offences.

"We are trying to work with modified car enthusiasts in our area and we have no problem with groups of friends gathering in their cars.

“People have a right to do this and as long as it doesn't lead to disorder, anti-social behaviour or reckless driving then we will try to support and facilitate this where we can”.