TWO men were branded foolish and dangerous after a "car-surfing" incident in a Gwent high street.

Darren Moore and Carl Evans shocked police who captured the pair on CCTV as they carried out the stunt in Blackwood.

They were both fined and banned from driving when they appeared at Blackwood magistrates court yesterday.

The court was told Moore was taken on a white-knuckle ride up and down Blackwood High Street after jumping on the roof of Evans' Vauxhall Cavalier near the Argos store in the early hours of July 9.

Moore, aged 22, of Beech Avenue, Pontllanfraith, was even seen casually waving to pedestrians during the hazardous drive.

He pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting dangerous driving and was fined £150 and banned from driving for a year.

Evans, aged 26, of Upland Road, Pontllanfraith, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and driving without insurance and was also banned for a year, with a £300 fine.

Both were ordered to pay £34 prosecution costs and ordered to take an extended driving test when their ban expires.

Natalie Quartermaine, defending Evans, said: "What started out as a prank could have had dire consequences, and Mr Evans should have stopped the moment Darren Moore got onto his vehicle."

Chairman of the bench Glyn Smith told Evans: "It was an extremely foolish and dangerous thing to do - not only to yourself and your friend, but to other road users and the stress it could have caused if a mishap had occurred."

He then told Moore: "You are very fortunate to be here today. I just hope you both realise the dire consequences of what could have been." Mark Davies, for Moore, said: "Here is a man who did something very silly while in drink.

"It is a matter that will never be repeated."

After the hearing, Sergeant Mick Moyles, of Blackwood police station, said: "I'm glad to see that both of them received a suitable penalty.

"I hope it sends out a message to others who think their driving is unseen that there are CCTV cameras prevalent in Blackwood town centre."

In an unrelated incident, Evans also pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention, driving without wearing a seatbelt, misuse of a foglight, another count of driving without insurance and producing a certificate of insurance with intent to deceive.

He was fined a further £250 and received a further ban of six months.