A dusk-till-daylight ban is to be slapped on boy racers who have brought summer weekend misery to families.

An extensive car park at Maplin Way, Shoebury, will be locked at nights after residents complained of cars racing in the late and early hours, thumping music and flashing headlights.

Lockout plans will also soon be enforced at nearby Shoebury Common.

New posts and gates are to be put up to prevent a meeting place for motorists at grasslands close to the old Uncle Tom's Cabin.

In the latest disturbance over the weekend, midnight cowboys in cars roared around the Common car park while some youths let off loud fireworks which woke up nearby residents and alarmed pet cats and dogs.

Police were called to warn youngsters about causing a disturbance.

Southend Council's technical services department revealed its lockout plans in a letter to Shoebury resident Adrian Rickards, a retired businessman.

The council said the gates should be in use within a few weeks.

The shutout will extend the after-dark curfew at other former troublespots on Shoebury East Beach and Gunners Park.

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