Youths riding unlicensed motorbikes along a disused railway in Didcot have proved to be a problem for police.

Sector inspector Jane Meadows, of Thames Valley Police, told town councillors: "We are struggling with it, it's a difficult situation.

"We are limited as to what we can do. They see us and they just bolt."

For years, young people have been riding motorbikes up and down the disused Didcot to Upton railway line without having permission and valid documents for the vehicles.

Margaret Davies said: "These are young, under-age people riding motorbikes with no plates, which is a problem."

Fellow councillor Alan Thompson added that noise from the bikes' two-stroke engines was a nuisance. Burnt-out cars were being dumped in the area, said town council technical manager Brenda Andrews.

Insp Meadows said a full report on the problem would be made to the next meeting of the town's community safety group.