Worthing's "boy racers" face having their cars impounded under plans to drive unruly motorists off the streets.

Police are sending warning letters to registered owners of cars and motorbikes caught tearing around the town.

They expect parents who let their children use the family car for the night to be among those getting the notes.

Officers hope the move will cut complaints about noisy and speeding drivers.

Among the problems complained about are engine revving, noise pollution from modified exhausts, loud music, racing and horns blaring though the night.

Culprits will receive a warning letter and could then have their vehicle impounded if they continue.

Under new laws, police are allowed to seize vehicles and charge up to £357 for their return.

Worthing's district police commander, Chief Inspector Russ Whitfield, said officers was intended to target persistent nuisance drivers.

He said: "This is not to persecute people who drive cars on our streets, it's just for those people who persistently annoy others.

"We quite understand people being proud of their cars and wanting to drive them around. All we are bringing to their attention is that they are creating a disturbance for other people."

Mr Whitfield said areas prone to such disturbances included the seafront and the Teville Gate shopping centre, near Worthing station.

He asked residents and other drivers to pass on the registration numbers of cars being regularly driven in an antisocial manner.

He said: "The registered owners, such as parents, may be shocked to receive the letter as they may not have been driving the car at the time."

Tony Mills, 36, of Teville Road - opposite Teville Gate - said: "They have souped-up engines and tear along this road trying to impress each other.

"It's pretty bad at night after the pubs shut but they're at Teville Gate from 9pm onwards. They crashed into a wall recently - I would not want to be driving along here at night because it's quite dangerous."