A conservation trust says gangs of youths are using a woodland in Lincolnshire as a racetrack.

The Woodland Trust says it may have to build barricades to prevent motorcyclists from getting into Sleaford Wood.

Vandals have started fires and sprayed trees with paint in the wood.

The wood is a 250-year-old site famous for deer and woodpeckers.

High speed

Peter Low of the Woodland Trust said: "We have a lot of trail bikers using the woods for racing and that scares the wildlife.

"Fires are being lit in the wood at the weekend, and the fire brigade responded to two fire calls on Sunday and put out two fires."

John Brickles, a local resident, said: "The wildlife we have here is fantastic, but it is slowly being depleted by the motorcycles.

His wife Joyce said: "I have been walking here with my grandson and daughter and I was nearly run down.

"Two or three times the bike came past at such a speed that we had to jump out of the way.

"It is frightening for the little ones."