MORE than 700 cars are set to descend on Colchester for an unauthorised rally.

Petrolheads will meet at the Asda car park in Petrolea Close on Saturday before driving to an undisclosed location in Witham.

A pair of car enthusiasts have organised the event through a Facebook group called East Essex Cruizers.

More than 700 car, van and motorbike owners had signed up to the event yesterday.

Police have urged the drivers to behave, but a councillor says the event should be stopped to prevent noise and traffic.

Organisers Grant Baldwin, 21, and Josh Milwain, 20, said the event will be peaceful and self-policed and wants to shake off the boy racer tag.

Mr Baldwin, from Frinton, said: “I’m hoping to get 750 cars by Saturday. If anyone messes around, we will ask them to leave, we never get any trouble.

“We are car enthusiasts – boy racers sit at traffic lights revving their engines.”

Mr Baldwin said he expects police to attend, but does not expect an intervention.

The car meet starts at Asda car park in Turner Road at 8.30pm.

The cruise leaves at 9.30pm on the A12 to Witham to a second location to be revealed on the night through the Facebook.

The organisers have posted a message online saying: “We are not responsible for anyone’s actions on the night, please respect others and put litter in bins provided.”

Martin Goss, councillor for Mile End, said: “It’s bonkers. They have chosen one of the worst places in Colchester for congestion and it will upset residents. There has been no consultation with Myland Community Council or Colchester Council.

“If they had come to us, we would have supported it and worked out how to do it properly.

“The police and the owners of Turner Rise retail park should shut it down on public safety grounds.”

Organisers have warned attendees not to race or overtake while in convoy.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “We are aware of a number of events taking place in north and south Essex in the next few weeks.

“We have a number of plans in place and would remind the young drivers to behave responsibly.”

No-one from Asda or Turner Rise retail park owners Glanmore Investment was available to comment.