Motorists have been prosecuted under new drivers' laws in Ceredigion

The group will gather video evidence and collect car registrations, which could be used to prosecute offenders.

The young drivers are sounding their horns and performing handbrake turns, says the group.

Member Paul Thomas has already handed some video footage to police, who he says are "doing all they can" to stop the drivers.

He said that up to 10 drivers used car parks near his house in Llanbadarn Fawr to "perform dangerous stunts".

Motorists in souped-up cars have been a problem in Aberystwyth and other parts of Ceredigion in recent years.

When they do something they're proud of they beep their horns to their friends Paul Thomas

About 18 have been prosecuted so far in the county under new legislation which allows police to confiscate reoffenders' vehicles.

In January, police and fire chiefs joined forces to educate 17-25-year-olds about the dangers of bad driving, although only one invited to the start of the course in Aberystwyth turned up.

Action group member Mr Thomas said he had written to the owners of the car parks in question, owned by retailers, to ask them for help.

"Police patrol the area quite regularly and order the boy racers out of the area, but as soon as the police disappear the drivers come back - it becomes a game to them," said Mr Thomas.

"I've handed some video footage of the boy racers to the police.

"When they do something they're proud of they beep their horns to their friends. This will start all of them off and it can be the early hours of the morning or very late at night, but this doesn't worry them."

Ceredigion councillor Paul James, who represents the Llanbardarn Fawr ward, said residents had "had enough".

Hot-spots

"I'm working with the police and we all know there's a problem in the area - I've seen it first hand. I support the residents' action group."

Dyfed-Powys Police have said previously that the main boy racing hot-spots were on the McDonald's and Richley's car parks in Aberystwyth.

Acting Inspector Terry Slater, of Dyfed-Powys Police in Aberystwyth, said noise from the car parks out of hours was annoying residents.

"We have tried to contact the owners of the car parks, but they have not replied yet," he said.

"We are not our to ruin people's fun and we are not out to target young people, but we ask that they go about their business peacefully."