BIKERS are putting people in danger by speeding around estates.

Safety campaigners are growing increasingly concerned about motorcyclists at Wood Road, Skinningrove, and on the Westfield Estate, Loftus.

Loftus Road Safety Committee is worried about the safety of the bikers and people living on the estates, and says there is also concern about noise.

PC Rachel Dick, Cleveland Police community officer for the area, said the force's motorbike section had been grounded during the foot-and-mouth epidemic, and this was not helping to catch the tearaways.

She said: "People are complaining on a day-to-day basis about the bikes flying around. The problem is worst in east Cleveland because it is a rural area."

Mike Hall, road safety officer for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, said: "What seems to be happening is that they are all going up to these places on the motorbikes, and they are disregarding people's safety, both their own and the people around them.

"They are riding across the estates, mounting the pavements, and riding along footpaths and bridleways.

"We are trying to find out who they are, and if anyone knows their names and addresses they should tell the police."

Mr Hall said that, in September, he plans to visit east Cleveland schools to give talks and presentations about motorbike safety.

He said that some of the older bikers had approached the council about having their own field to ride in.

He said that they had been advised to talk to farmers about the possibility of using one of their fields, but that idea is on hold until the foot-and-mouth crisis is over.

Anyone wanting to report a biker is asked to call (01642) 326326.