Plans are being developed to build an off-road motorcycle track to stop bikers destroying public parks.

Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police have identified about a dozen sites as possible locations for the area's first legal circuit.

The sites were identified seven years ago in a joint council and police project but will be looked at again because the motorcycle menace has not disappeared.

For years people have complained that bikers have wrecked the local paths used by walkers, horse riders and cyclists.

It comes as the council's environmental improvements team put up three barriers to stop bikers getting access to Sheepcote Valley in east Brighton through north Whitehawk.

Sergeant Paul Gossland, of Sussex Police, who worked on the project, said: "This problem is never going to go away.

"If you speak to national retailers they would say off-road bikes and equipment sales continue to rise.

"Eight or 12 sites have been identified around the city which may be suitable for off-road racing.

"If we could provide an area where people could lawfully go at certain times it would be better.

"It is only right that if we are restricting access to the sites currently being used we can offer them somewhere else to go.

"But we are not about to impose a motorcycle track in someone's backyard so residents do not need to worry."

The new site, which police say could be built in five years, would be the first in the city.

The nearest at the moment is in Steyning.

Last year The Argus launched a campaign to force a change in the law so every owner of a mini motorbike, whether driven on or offroad, registers it with the DVLA.

Three barriers will be put up on the estate by the end of March, one across the subway access from Warren Road and others at Albourne Close and Lodsworth Close.

The barriers will prevent access by motorbikes but will allow children's buggys and prams to pass through.

Dog walkers in Sheepcote Valley have often complained about bikers, including those who drive mini-motos, because the machines pose a danger to their animals.

East Brighton councillor Warren Morgan said: "The use of off-road bikes on footpaths, playing fields and in Sheepcote Valley is at best a noise nuisance and at worse dangerous to children, pedestrians and dog walkers.î"

Karen Wyatt who runs the Muttley Crew dog walking service, said: "A dog was hit last year and at the weekend one of my dogs was only just missed.

"I was walking my group and there were at least five bikes at the time, going really fast, at least 50mph."

No one from the city council was available to comment.

Have you had problems with off-road motorcycles near where you live? Tell us your stories below.