OFF-ROAD bike enthusiasts are calling on a Gwent council to do more to help their sport.

More than 150 bikers attended an event at a Blackwood farm on Sunday, but the farm's owner has faced a long planning battle with Caerphilly council over the legality of his track.

Last week we reported an Islwyn rambler's calls for Gwent Police to take more action to stop those who ride off-road motorbikes and quad bikes illegally on public land.

Maggie Thomas said the bikers cause damage to the countryside around Blackwood.

But Jeff Miles, 47, who runs Penrhiwdarren Farm on Mynyddislwyn near Blackwood, said he has excellent facilities that youngsters could use.

Mr Miles claims he has spent tens of thousands of pounds in a protracted legal battle with Caerphilly council, fighting to allow his track to be used lawfully.

He was recently served with a planning enforcement notice and is facing action for noise nuisance.

He said: "Motorsport is becoming a nuisance on common land around here because they have got nowhere to go legally.

"We have had motorcycle activities and events on the farm since 1979. This is regarded as one of the best tracks in Wales. But the council is trying to close it down.

"All they are doing is driving these boys onto the mountains and into the forests."

Mark Pearson, 44, who runs a domestic appliance repair store in Pontypool, was one of the hundreds who attended Sunday's event.

His son Ben, 16, is a keen biker, who last year came seventh in the UK schoolboy championships.

Mr Pearson said: "You are not going to stop these kids doing this.We need proper tracks.

"All this money is being wasted chasing kids off the mountain - they chuck them off one day and they are back on there the next.

"We should be entitled to our hobbies. There seems to be a lack of tolerance to anybody enjoying themselves?"