Noisy scooters and mini motorbikes are causing misery for residents.

Homeowners say the petrol-powered machines are being driven illegally and destroy their peace in the evenings.

Rosemary Gridley, 69, of Langley Crescent, Woodingdean, said the sound of their engines stopped her sleeping at night.

She and neighbours say they are fed up with the noise and worried someone will get hurt.

Miss Gridley said: "They come along here every evening till late with no crash helmets. The noise is horrendous.

"These children are 12 or 13 years of age. What are they doing out at that time of night?

"I have given up complaining to the police because they don't seem to do anything about it."

Helen Kedian, 37, also of Langley Crescent, said she had told her two children James, nine and Charlotte, seven, not to go on the bikes.

She said: "Some take friends on the back which is dangerous. I've seen them nearly crash into cars and buses.

"In summer, the noise is almost constant and it can go on till late at night."

The bikes, which can reach speeds of 35mph, may not legally be ridden on the pavement or any other public land.

Drivers must wear helmets, hold a driving licence, tax, MOT, insurance and their bikes must have number plates.

Police have warned it is only a matter of time before someone is seriously injured by a bike but say they have difficulty catching illegal riders because they have often moved on by the time police reach the scene.

They have asked members of the public to help by noting registration numbers so they can trace repeat offenders. Bikes can be confiscated and it costs owners £100 to get them back.

A spokeswoman for Sussex Police said: "It is inconsiderate and aggravating for others when these machines are ridden in totally unsuitable locations.

"Elderly people or young children are unlikely to be able to get out of the way in time and could easily be hit by one of these bikes."

Two bikes have been confiscated in Brighton and Hove over the past four months but the problem is country-wide.

The Argus reported last week Crawley police were receiving up to ten complaints a day and confiscated 15 bikes this summer. Eastbourne and Hailsham are also mini-bike hot spots.