VILLAGERS have vowed to crack down on bikers and truckers who they say are making their lives a misery.

The pressure group Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger (Band) is calling for a 50mph speed limit on all roads in the North York Moors National Park.

They want to see speed cameras on the B1257, which they say has become a lethal racetrack used by irresponsible bikers.

The group also wants to see a larger police presence and a reduction in the numbers of lorries taking a short cut north.

To make sure their demands are heard, the group has appointed a national lobbying firm, Chelgate, to act on their behalf.

Band chairman Ken Braithwaite said the campaign was not against all bikers, but against irresponsible and dangerous bikers who speed.

He said: "Not only is the B1257 not the Yorkshire TT, these bikers are not TT riders."

Chelgate spokesman Nick Wood-Dow, who is deputy chairman of the Environment Council, said: "The North York Moors National Park is not simply one of Yorkshire's treasures, it is a national asset of great importance.

"It is tremendously sad that, on many weekends, the B1257 through the heart of the park has been allowed to become a lethal racetrack for inadequate and irresponsible bikers."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said they put in considerable effort on the road, with year-round enforcement efforts, rider education, publicity and work with the Cleveland force.

He said: "We have a fine record and that is why our Bike Safe strategy has been adopted as national best practice."

* This year, 26 bikers have been killed on North Yorkshire's roads. One, in August, was on the B1257.