CAR park regulations are to be extended in a Gwent town plagued by boy racers. Caerphilly county borough is to extend car park regulations to prohibit people from hanging around once their vehicle is parked at night, as well as during the day.

It is hoped this will deter car cruisers who are said to be making life hell for residents of William Street and Wesley Road in Blackwood.

The regulation has been brought in specifically to combat the problems faced by the residents, but the new rule will be enforced right across the borough.

The news was announced at a public meeting of the Car Cruisers Action Committee in Blackwood Miners' Institute on Wednesday, which had been called by residents angry about what was happening in the car park at the rear of William Street.

One elderly resident of William Street, who asked not to be named, said she was fed up with car engines being revved at all hours and claimed that residents would soon block the car park themselves if the council didn't take action.

The incidents in the car park arose after double yellow lines were introduced to the north end of Blackwood town centre last year.

This effectively displaced car cruisers from that area and drove them into using car parks in the town centre as a meeting-point.

Sergeant Simon Clarke, of Blackwood police, said: "We are having almost daily reports of problems in William Street.

"It seems to be the minority who are spoiling it for the majority, who just want to park up and talk to each other. We did anticipate this displacement of the car cruisers but they are still not gathering in the numbers there were gathering on the High Street."

Blackwood councillor Darren Jones, who also acts as the secretary of the car cruisers committee, said after the meeting: "When these regulations come into force in around three months' time police will be able to make sure people do not stay in the car park even when it is closed."

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "Any measures to safeguard the residents of Wesley Road and residents living near William Street are to be welcomed."

*PICTURED: PC Jon Harris watches cars on the northern approach yo Blackwood.