DAREDEVIL mountain bikers created a downhill trail on Hampshire crumbling cliffs .

Three men thought to be in their early 20s were seen hacking away at the clifftop with pickaxes and long-handled shovels.

They have been accused of vandalising the cliffs at Barton on Sea as well as risking their own safety.

Councillor Jeremy May said those responsible should be tracked down and arrested.

"I'm utterly fed up with the kid glove treatment we extend to those who wreck our neighbourhood in this way," he said, "The Barton coastline is a nationally designated Site of Special Scientific Interest and must be protected at all costs.

"These vandals should be arrested immediately and charged with criminal conduct. Their behaviour is outrageous and makes a mockery of all our efforts to preserve the Barton cliff front."

Staff at the Cliff House Hotel saw the mountain bikers cycling near a 45ft drop.

Hotel proprietor Jim Simpson warned them that they were damaging the sensitive clifftop. They left on their bikes but returned the next day.

"They had made a ramp and were racing along the cliff top on their mountain bike," said Mr Simpson.

The hotelier rang the police, who found two youths on mountain bikes.

A police spokesman said: "They were advised about their safety and moved on. No criminal actions were taking place so they were not arrested."