A pair of teenage friends who set out to show "grumpy" villagers what young people can achieve are celebrating the construction of their own BMX bike track.

Alex Coleman, 16, and best friend Ben Thatcher, 17, were stung by criticism that a cycle ramp they erected and got permission for was causing too much noise.

But rather than get angry they took positive action and, with the help of a landowner, have created their own track and plan to form a club.

The duo's development is based on a one-and-a-half-acre site on the outskirts of their Clifton Hampden, near an old airfield.

Alex said the saga started earlier this year when the boys built the portable wooden ramp and were given permission to place it in a private road in Clifton Hampden, near Abingdon.

But local residents complained about noise and that prompted them to search for a proper track in a more suitable location.

The duo approached landowner Christopher Gibbs and asked if he could help.

Mr Gibbs agreed to let them use his land and they have created a track which is already proving popular with BMX enthusiasts from neighbouring towns and villages.

Alex, of Watery Lane, Clifton Hampden, said: "It was a wonderful gesture and set us on course."

The teenager's brother Oliver works on a farm and got the use of equipment to help clear the site.

On top of this, the team hired a mini-digger at a cost of £120 to complete the work and create ten raised jumps.

Ben, of Courtiers Green, Clifton Hampden, said: "The track is up and running now and everyone is enjoying the sport. It is a great facility for local young people."

Alex added: "It has been a lot of hard work and we have paid for everything ourselves. We have not asked anyone for a penny. We were determined to show a few, grumpy, critical people that young people can achieve things given encouragement."

Anyone interested in joining the club can call Alex on 01865 407639 or Ben on 01865 407266.