Police who targeted born-again bikers in a bid to curb a growing death toll clocked up a ton of roadside warnings over the holiday weekend.

Extra patrols stopped more than 100 motorcyclists on the country lanes of Weardale and Teesdale in a successful four-day road safety operation.

Only one motorcycle accident was reported in the area over the long weekend. A rider escaped with minor injuries when he crashed near High Force.

But it was local drivers, not visiting bikers, who came in for criticism after 155 cars and 23 motor cyclists were caught by mobile speed traps and face prosecution.

A 'significant number' of these were people living in the dales area, police said yesterday.

Inspector Dave Hammond, of Durham's road policing unit, said most bikers had reacted positively to officers' advice.

He said: "We were delighted with the response from the motor cycling fraternity and want to thank them for behaving in such a responsible way. They listened to the message and responded very positively.

"We are very grateful for the way that motorcyclists, particularly those from outside the area conducted themselves on the roads of County Durham. It is a pity that local people haven't heard the same message and don't seem to have proper regard for the areas they live in."

Bike patrols will continue through the summer months in the dales, where seven riders have died and 20 were seriously hurt in more than 50 accidents over the past three years. Most of the casualties were over 30, including eight per cent over 60.

An overwhelming number of crashes involved high-powered machines where speed was a factor.