CALLS are growing for more action to stop Blackwood boy racers tearing through the town.

On Friday at 8.45pm, a Vauxhall Nova was driven through the High Street car park, smashed through steel bollards and finally came to a halt on the pavement in Hall Street.

Shocked locals say it was only luck that no-one was badly hurt and that unless something is done there will be a serious accident.

Dean Gilson, 36, lives in William Street, which backs onto the car park.

He was working in his garden when the incident happened.

He said: "I heard a car speeding, then a loud skidding sound which seemed to go forever. At that point I was waiting for a loud crashing noise and, when it happened, I ran to the scene and saw this car completely smashed up on the pavement. It had skid marks about 70 foot long leading to it.

"The pavement is very busy on a Friday night, with people going to and for between pubs. If anyone had been hit by this car they would have been seriously injured or even killed."

He said: "Everybody on William Street is at the end of their tether because we are kept awake at all hours by cars doing handbrake turns, wheel spins, and with loud music from car stereos. We can't understand why the council won't close the car park at night or even introduce speed bumps."

Last week the Argus reported the Wesley Street car park would close at night, because it was being used by young motorists.

A spokesman at Blackwood police station confirmed police officers attended an incident on Hall Street on Friday night. A youth was questioned and released, pending enquiries.

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "The residents of William Street are experiencing a living nightmare and I'm having calls weekly about boy racers in the car park.

"As soon as I get the facts from the police I am going to lobby the council to introduce speed bumps or barriers"

If anyone has any information, contact Blackwood police on 01495 23673 and ask for PC Bell.