TEENAGE boy racers are turning the main street of a market town into a late-night race track.

According to Chester-le-Street residents, young men are driving round the town centre in "hot hatchbacks" - a practice they say will lead to someone getting killed or seriously injured.

When Front Street shops close for the night, gangs of youths are using the road as a rat run, driving at speed through the thoroughfare.

As well as road safety fears, the peace and quiet of nearby streets are being shattered by the same groups loitering in public and private car parks.

Residents are saying they feel held to ransom by a small minority of teenage tearaways who behave like they are above the law.

Gail Hann, who works in Front Street, said she takes her life into her hands every time she leaves the building to go home.

She said: "I usually leave work at about 8.30pm and I'm immediately confronted with kids racing up and down the street in their cars.

"I am not a victim who constantly fears being mugged or attacked, but I do fear for my safety when I see these boy racers.

"It will take just a split second for one of these idiots to lose control of their machines and flatten someone.

"They drive around wearing their baseball caps, and loud blaring stereos like they own the place. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt by them."

It's not just town centre business people who feel threatened by the boy racers - nearby residents say they congregate in car parks before driving along Front Street.

One woman who lives in Cone Terrace, next to a car park frequently used by teenage motorists, said: "Almost every night they park here and have their stereos on really loud - most nights we have to turn our tellies up to drown out the racket.

"It's not just the noise and the inconvenience - they are very intimidating as well."

A spokesman for Chester-le-Street police said they were aware of the problems involving young, male drivers, and are teaming up with other local agencies to tackle it