BOY racers have been warned off using a town centre car park as a race track after months of complaints from residents.

Since 2015, St Mary’s car park, in Balkerne Hill, Colchester, has been ‘barrier-free’, which means drivers are free to enter and leave at their will outside of normal working hours.

But since last summer, groups of car enthusiasts have been making nearby residents’ lives a nightmare by racing on the open air top level of the car park into the early hours of the morning.

Neighbours say because there are no barriers and the car park is rarely manned, it had become a free for all for the nuisance drivers.

But yesterday Colchester Council bosses confirmed warning letters have been sent to the addresses at which the rogue cars are registered.

They were able to track the cars thanks to residents keeping a note of the registration numbers of the offending vehicles.

Their registration numbers have also been passed to Essex Police.

The Gazette spoke to residents in nearby Crowhurst Road and Manor Road, many of whom asked to remain anonymous for fear of recrimination.

One resident said: “It was becoming an absolute nightmare.

“It was happening well into the early hours and it was affecting us all.

“I’m actually lucky as we sleep at the front of the house but there are neighbours whose bedrooms are at the back and they had had sleepless nights, especially during the summer when you’re leaving windows open.

“God help anyone who has young children.”

Another resident praised Colchester Council for doing something to stop the problem.

She added: “It was a real community effort from us all, getting the registration numbers and keeping a log of times but we’re really grateful to the council for taking it seriously.”

A Colchester Council spokesman said: “Community protection warning letters have been issued to a number of individuals, in respect of anti-social behaviour in St Mary’s which has been witnessed by a council officer or CCTV, and their vehicle registration details passed to the police.”

Council bosses have also urged the public to stay vigilant near to council-run car parks.

Anyone who spots antisocial or nuisance behaviour should email parking@colchester.gov.uk.