Residents of South Wonston want to stop "illegal" motocross events taking place near their village.

The riders are using land near the water tower on the western side of A34 north of Winchester. Villagers complain the noise of the bikes is louder than the traffic on the dual carriageway.

Parish council clerk, Debbie Found, said: "This isn't a new problem, but it's been getting worse and worse. The noise of the bikes is a completely different frequency and you can hear it above everything else."

City council member for South Wonston, Barry Lipscomb (Con), is pressing environmental health officers to stop the motocross.

No enforcement notice has been served, but Mr Lipscomb told council members on Monday that officers had assured him action would be taken.

He added: "I have had residents coming to me literally in dread of another summer with their right to peace shattered.

"The noise, said by some to be like having a chainsaw operating in an adjacent garden, pervades much of the village.

"There is also a real danger on the site, as bikers frequently shoot down onto the bridleway, a favourite spot for walkers and hikers. I've had reports of several near-misses and witnessed one.

"If the bikers are able to come forward with an alternative site, away from habitation and rights of way, then I'd be happy to see them enjoy their sport in a properly regulated way."

Simon Browne is a member of the trust that owns the water tower site. He says the riders come onto their land without permission and he has little power to stop them.

"We're looking at 180-acres of land and if the riders want to get on, they'll find a way. We've been in contact with the police and any bikers caught using the land will be subject to a fine.

"Many are children and it's got to the point where parents drop them off mid-morning and collect them in the afternoon. It's totally unsupervised and illegal."

Mr Browne says the trust is applying for permission to open a regulated motocross track on their land at Three Maids Hill.

The track lies beside the A34 to the south of the water tower, about one mile further from South Wonston.

The circuit would be operated Eastleigh-based Tonymoto. Tony Childs, of Tonymoto, feels a recognised track in Hampshire would bring a reduction in unregulated motocross.

The city council planning committee is due to debate the application next week.

An investigation by environmental health officers into noise pollution at the water tower site is expected to last several weeks.