Teenage mountain bikers who have been turning a public green into an obstacle course are being targeted by police.

Police and town council staff in Seaford are combating antisocial behaviour by riders in the east end of Sandore Road.

Sergeant David Kemp, of Sussex Police, said: "The piece of open ground is owned by the town council and is provided for the benefit of the general public. Unfortunately a few individuals have been causing damage by pulling down tree branches and digging in the earth to make jumps for their mountain bikes which has resulted in the area looking tatty and uncared for."

The area is governed by bylaws prohibiting ball games, cycling, and throwing objects, which Sgt Kemp said are in force to protect both the environment and people using the open space.

He said: "My patrols are spending a significant amount of time in the area and anyone caught flouting the bylaws risks being arrested as well as running the risk of receiving a bill from the council for any damage caused.

"These open spaces are for everyone to enjoy and the irresponsible behaviour by one or two wretches will not be tolerated.

"I hope that we can stop this anti-social behaviour and therefore prevent the ultimate sanction of having to close the area off to the public."