FED up residents have taken action against motorcyclists who speed through their village.

Villagers in Farnley fear it is only a matter of time before someone is killed by one of the motorcyclists who they claim use their peaceful village as a race track.

And on Saturday they put up a series of road signs in the village urging the bikers to kill their speed.

A spokeswoman for Farnley Neighbou-rhood Watch, who asked not to be named, said that the route through the village, which started at Sherburn, was known amongst bikers as the Wharfedale TT race.

An increasing number of bikers have started using the stretch of the B6451 to test their skills and to carry out what North Yorkshire Police describe as 'anti-social' antics including wheelies and driving particularly close to cars.

The riders first started using the route through Farnley on a regular basis about six years ago and now as soon as the drier weather arrives they are a familiar sight in the village.

At the height of the summer up to 400 bikes have been counted racing through the village, upsetting pedestrians and disturbing the peace of people in their gardens.

"We put up five signs saying 'This is not a race track', 'speed kills', 'speed hurts us too', 'drive within the traffic law' and 'respect other road users'.

"I'm not against bikers, but it's the attitude of those who come through our village and their behaviour," said the spokeswoman.

Last month, 25-year-old motorcyclist, Mark Alan Wilson, from Bradford became the eight motorcyclist to die on North Yorkshire roads when his Honda CBR Fireblade was in collision with a car along the B6451 at Norwood Mast.

And on Saturday, many bikers joined a memorial ride from Sherburn to the Sun Inn at Norwood.

The Farnley spokeswoman said: "It wasn't a big respectful pack of riders coming through the village. It was just a drive out for them and nothing like a mourning parade.

"All we are asking is for consideration from the riders."

A day after the signs were put up, they were removed but the villagers are determined to campaign for some sort of legislation to put an end to Farnley being used as a race track.

"We're going to hold a meeting in early June when we shall be looking for support to resolve this somehow.

"We will even invite the bikers to come along," said the spokeswoman.

In response to the high number of fatal accidents involving high powered motorbikes on its roads, North Yorkshire Police has launched its Bike Safe Strategy.

The aim of the recently-launched strategy is to work with local authorities and the motorcycle industry to promote advanced riding education.

l Sign of the times - bikers on a memorial ride pass one of the signs at Farnley