A new generation of so-called boy racers is infuriating residents in Eastbourne.

People have battled against the dangerous drivers for more than a decade.

But while campaigns to Government and police action have in the past proved successful in banishing the old guard, younger racers have come along to take their place.

Police are being asked to renew their efforts and clear the nuisance drivers from the streets.

Groups are meeting in the no-parking areas of Devonshire Place where they are keeping residents awake until the early hours with loud noise.

Residents say the racers blasting their horns, perform rubber-burning wheelspins and speed. For 11-years, central Eastbourne was a haven for boy racers with some residents deserting the town because they could not cope.

It led to a high-profile campaign resulting in a 15,000-name petition to Downing Street for more police to be put on Eastbourne's streets.

At the height of the boy racer problem, up to 60 cruisers would meet up in the town centre, an area densely populated with pensioners.

Following lobbying from the Memorial Square residents' action group, police launched a successful clamp down to restore peace.

Officers wrote to suspected offenders, warning them they could be served with anti-social behaviour orders which could lead to a five-year driving ban on a first offence. They used CCTV and plain-clothed officers to catch them.

Action group chairman Brian Jones said: "We were saddened to hear that a new generation of boy racers are back.

"Residents understand things are much better than they were thanks to police action but feel the latest group should be moved on more quickly.

"Police and the council took action in the past which enabled the racers to be moved on.

"Unfortunately, with a new generation of young drivers come a new generation of traffic police who just talk to the offenders instead of moving them on.

"The general feeling is that offenders' rights appear to be given priority over residents when it should be the other way round."

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "We are concentrating our efforts on burglary, vehicle crime and violence.

"Because of the increased number of officers in these two areas, we believe a positive effect could be had on antisocial behaviour, such as boy racers, in other neighbourhoods.

"We are keen to nip these sort of problems in the bud. But we need the help of communities."