EXTRA powers are being sought to curb the anti-social behaviour which continues to plague a Valleys town.

Gwent Police want to issue dispersal notices to the 'boy racers' flocking to Blackwood town centre during the evenings, a report to Caerphilly council reveals.

In recent months the Argus has reported how up to 100 boy racers at a time have been gathering in the car park of the town's Asda supermarket.

Locals have complained for years about the loud music played by the racers and their erratic driving.

Under the powers of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, a constable or police community support officer can order a group of two or more people he may suspect of causing harassment, alarm, distress or intimidation to move out of the designated area and not return for a specified amount of time.

Failure to comply is a summary offence with a power of arrest.

Before dispersal notices are granted, Gwent Police have to consult Caerphilly county borough council about the merits of such a measure.

The proposal is to be considered at a cabinet meeting next Tuesday.

In the report going before councillors the chief trading standards officer for Caerphilly council, Steve Delahaye, said: "The police believe there are grounds to believe that members of the public have been intimidated as a result of the presence or behaviour of two or more persons/vehicles and that anti-social behaviour is a significant and persistent problem."

Bill Bleazard, 74, of Hall Street, Blackwood, said: "This can only be a good thing. You never like approaching a group of these drivers. They can be a bit off-putting."

Bill Bendall, 65, who lives near the town centre, said: "The dispersal notices will be a great thing because the boy racers can be intimidating."

Blackwood councillor Kevin Etheridge said: "This is as good as a curfew. The authorities have taken a proactive approach andI wish to thank the public for their support, people power has won the day."