SPEEDING drivers who tear along a Worcester street in their clapped-out cars have narrowly missed mowing people down, terrified residents claim.

People living in the Brickfields area say around five cars are regularly raced near their homes.

And they have bombarded police and the city council with their concerns.

"I saw two schoolgirls crossing the road and they both had to jump back up on to the path because a car was racing towards them," said one resident, who did not want to be named. "A lot of cats are killed round here as well."

She said around five cars were regularly raced around Gorse Hill Road and Glenthorne Avenue.

"They think they're on the grand prix," she added. "It's a wonder they don't go out of control. They go down one way, wheel spin them and then come back up the other road."

City councillor David Barlow confirmed that he had been approached by worried families.

"Several neighbours are seriously concerned and have been in touch with me on a number of occasions," he said. "The trouble is that they're worried about reprisals if they complain too much."

Residents claim up to 20 youths hang around swearing, drinking and throwing litter while cars are being raced.

"I just can't cope with this any more," said another resident, who also did not want to be named. "I can't invite anyone round here because I can't have my window open.

"They ride round here every night and make so much noise."

Worcester police have already managed to bring one of the racers to book after evidence from a video car convicted a man of traffic offences and landed him with a £60 fine.

"It has gone reasonably quiet now," said beat manager for Brickfields and Tolladine, PC Adrian Brooks. "We haven't had complaints for a while."