BOY racers using land at Lindley Moor as a race track have been warned they could cause a serious accident.

James Pare, who lives next to the moorland off Old Lindley Road, near Outlane, said groups of up to 30 people - aged between 16 and 25 - used the land for racing their cars and 4x4s most nights.

He also claims the yobs use the land to take drugs and says he has found used condoms and needles.

Mr Pare, 36, who owns vehicle repair business W F Pare & Sons, said it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously hurt.

He said: "They race around cutting up the land and making lots of noise.

"Sometimes there can be 30 young men stood about smoking and racing their cars. The way they drive it won't be long before two of them crash or hit a dog walker - then it will be too late.

"Most nights it happens. I have rung the police and they have moved them on, but they just come back.

"Sometimes they even come up during daylight and sit about in their cars smoking and dropping litter everywhere."

Father-of-two Mr Pare thinks more policing is what is needed to stop the problem. However he admits police cannot be there all the time.

He said: "A few more visits from the police would help, but they have already moved them on and spoken to them before.

"I am trying to arrange to get some boulders placed that would make it hard for these people to use the land as a race track and not stop the dog walkers getting up."

Maggie Throup, Conservative parliamentary candidate for Colne Valley, said the moor was being ruined.

She said: "Clr Tony Brice has been contacted by a number of residents local to Lindley Moor concerned about the misuse of the moorland by people in off-road vehicles.

"These tend to be four-wheel drive vehicles that are now destroying the natural habitat and creating a nuisance.

"I know the moor is not used extensively for recreation at this time of year, but when the better weather comes, as well as the land being destroyed, I am fearful that the many families who come to picnic will just find discarded needles and used condoms in what is a real beauty spot. We need to put a stop to this immediately."

Mr Pare is due to meet with head of Kirklees Leisure Services Geoff Hirst to try to find a solution this week.