A GROUP of young car 'cruisers' is looking to set up a regular venue for meetings of fellow enthusiasts.

But a council today told them there was little chance because people are so fed up with their behaviour.

Often dubbed 'boy racers' they are often regarded as the scourge of modern society.

But today they told the Argus they are just car enthusiasts who love to meet up en masse in car parks just to show off their wheels.

Ben Periam from Newport and his friends say they are now sick of being labelled troublemakers.

The group is forming its own club - Newport Cruisers - and they hope to win the backing of city band Goldie Lookin' Chain in their bid to establish a regular meeting place - although no sites have yet been identified.

But according to Newport city council, cruising meets are not harmless fun.

A spokeswoman said: "The use of public car parks and areas presently being illegally used by young adults for this activity is upsetting neighbouring residents and damaging the properties.

"As a council we do need to be mindful of the complaints of the tax-paying residents of Newport."

At the moment, said Mr Periam, a 19-year-old chef from Bassaleg, cruisers face having their cars confiscated under new police powers.

"We just meet up and talk about cars, and show off what we've been up to in the way of customization," he said.

"We're not racing - though I admit there is a handful of trouble makers. But the majority just want to get together and hang out. As it stands now, if there are more than two cars at any time, we are breaking the law."

Mr Periam, of Penylan Close, said showing off sound-systems was part of the attraction.

He added: "We do make a bit of noise, but that shouldn't be a problem if we can meet in a proper place.

"We object to people racing around - we don't want to cause the police problems."

Mr Periam's friend Andrew Kay, 18, who is planning to study motor mechanics at Cardiff University this autumn, said: "We're hoping Goldie Lookin' Chain will endorse it, because they sing about cruising in their songs.

"People think we look dodgy, so we must be dodgy. The reality is we just share the same interest."