Parents fear a child could be killed by young drivers doing handbrake spins in a park.

They called for Brighton and Hove City Council bosses to bar them by fixing the park gate, which has been broken for two years.

Residents said they were prepared to lock the gate at night themselves if the council will not employ somebody to do it.

They said teenage drivers turned the car park at Greenleas, Hangleton, Hove, into a raceway at night and at weekends.

One mother-of-five, who did not want to be named, said: "There were two doing a burn-up against each other along the road the other day. One was driving forwards and the other was racing him in reverse gear.

"They gather in the car park at weekends and in the evenings. You get cars going round in circles doing handbrake turns. The tyres are screeching and there is cheering and loud music."

A father-of-two living nearby, who also did not want to be named, said he had spoken to the boy racers.

He said: "We get them outside from about 10pm until 1am. There is a lot of noise and when you have young children trying to sleep it is very annoying.

"To be fair, when I have spoken to them they have quietened things down a bit. But it is still dangerous, especially when they do it in the early evening.

"We had a christening here the other Sunday and there were 35 kids running in and out of the park.

"These lads turned up with their cars at about 7pm and were doing their handbrake turns while the children were running through the car park."

Hangleton councillor Peter Willows said: "I have been on and on at the council for two years to fix the gate.

"It can't be locked shut so these boy racers can just drive in and out whenever they want.

"There are skid marks all over the car park and cars they no longer race are abandoned there.

"If something isn't done, it is only a matter of time before a child or someone out walking their dog is killed or injured."

A council spokeswoman said a new entrance was being planned for the park and car park which would have separate entrances for pedestrians and vehicles.

That would mean the car park could be locked while still allowing people access on foot.

She said: "We have had problems with the existing gates being locked for some time.

"The leaseholder in the park is under instructions not to lock the gates while there are still vehicles in the car park.