Problems with boy racers speeding through a Colchester estate have prompted residents to field a candidate in the borough elections.

Great-grandfather Peter Farley, 62, is bidding to become an independent councillor for the ward which covers the Old Heath estate.

He is so fed up with youths racing their cars along the residential roads that he has decided to see if he can take action.

Mr Farley, who has a big family including seven grandchildren and 23 great grandchildren, said drivers were dicing with death and he was worried somebody, possibly a child, could get seriously injured.

A former chairman of Old Heath Residents' Association, he has lived on the estate for 28 years.

He said: "They have been driving like lunatics around Speedwell Road, Cheveling Road and Wick Road. Outside my house they do handbrake turns and every evening you see them whizzing around the estate. It's noisy and it's dangerous.

"If you try and speak to them about it all you get is a load of abuse. I want a better standard of safety at Old Heath and if I am elected to the council I have a good chance of getting it."

He has contacted Colchester Council to see if he would be eligible to stand for Harbour ward. All nominations have to be submitted to the council by April 3.

Voting takes place on May 4. Problems with boy racers have been reported to the police.

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