RESIDENTS in a Gwent town say they suffered for years at the hands of noisy boy racers who congregate in a car park.

The problem - which has been seen across Gwent in towns like Blackwood and Abergavenny - plagued people living near Llanyrafon's boating lake in Cwmbran.

Now residents are welcoming moves by the police and council to put a stop to the problem by fencing off the area and installing a gate which is now closed at night.

"There was noise at all times - sometimes three or four in the morning," said Malcolm Gough, 50, who lives in The Alders, close to the car park.

"There would be the sound of revving and skidding, and the noise of their sound systems.

"We'd come to the end of our tether and told the police and council something had to be done."

Backed by fellow residents Mr Gough met council chiefs and a plan was drawn up to fence off the car park and install a steel gate, which is now closed from 11pm to 7am.

He added: "It's much better but there is still a lot to be done to improve the area in general."

Mr Gough is still lobbying for speed cameras and traffic calming measures on Llanfrechfa Way to slow down the boy racers.

Barry Lane, also of the Alders, said: "I wouldn't say it's been solved - it's better, but before they put the gate up it was awful at all hours."

Other neighbours spoke of booming sound-systems and wheel-spinning late into the night.

They say the boy racers still congregate in the car park earlier in the evening.

Monmouth MP David Davies praised Gwent Police and Torfaen council for taking the concerns of the community on board.

He said he found the police reaction "extremely encouraging".

Councillor Gwyneira Clark, Executive Member for Housing and Community Safety said the gate and fencing was the first part of a "fully integrated programme" to reduce the nuisance Torfaen's car parks.

She added: "The council is currently working on by-laws which will prohibit people loitering in the car parks or gathering around stationary vehicles.

"Anyone using their parked vehicles to play loud music will be liable to a spot fine."