VILLAGERS in Easton Royal are amazed county council officers are pigeon holing their petition calling for action of trail bikers who tear through the village.

Farmer Graham Cooper, who has three young children, said he was amazed at the disregard some riders showed for villagers, including children. He and his wife Melanie supported the petition sent to County Hall objecting to the danger to children and other road users, the noise nuisance and environmental damage as the bikers tear up the green lanes.

The petition stated: "We do not consider the village street an appropriate place for this kind of activity."

A supporting letter sent with the petition to Wiltshire County Council said one event last year was an organised trail bike run involving 50 bikes and which villagers claimed took place with county council approval.

The letter stated: "It was felt by the locals that the riders did not take due care through the village, with many bikes travelling too fast and with an excessive amount of noise."

County officers, in a report to next Wednesday's regulatory committee, have recommended that the villagers petition "be noted and officers be instructed to continue to encourage use of non-sensitive routes."

The officers state that The Street is an unclassified road leading to a byway open to all traffic.

Their report stated: "Use of both of these highways by trail motorbikes is legal," and added there was no requirement for organisers of trail bike events to notify county, district or parish councils they would be taking place.