Nuisance bikers who made last summer a misery for many families have finally had their fun cut short.

It comes after barriers have been installed alongside Mangravet Recreation Ground, in Maidstone, to restrict the antisocial motorcyclists.

The intention is to stop the bikers using the footpath from the playing field to Pheasant Lane.

The design is intended to create the greatest restriction, while still allowing access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Works were agreed in December and the barriers were installed on Tuesday, February 14.

South Ward's Cllr Brian Clark (Lib Dem), who has been working on solving the problem, explained there was a slight delay in installing the barriers but is pleased they have finally been put in place.

He said: "I gave January as the planned install date but there was a slight delay in installation of these barriers, as consultation with the school led KCC to move installation to the February half term.

"I submitted evidence of support from the police and local community to KCC’s public rights of way team and they were in full support, initially for a single barrier by the cemetery but then for another by the school farm when I asked if the plan could be extended.

"Given the constraints on budgets across the board at KCC, it’s great that the public rights of way team bought into this plan early on and saw it through to delivery as promised."

In October, Cllr Clark said he was sorry to hear of the return of the bikers.

The bikers spent days roaring around, leaving some residents in despair.

A 77-year-old pensioner said her life was being made hell by the noise.

The woman, from Longfield Place, Maidstone, who asked not to be named for fear of retaliation, said at the time: "The noise is just unbelievable. It's making me ill."

Last August, police hoped they had cured the problem, with Maidstone's Chief Inspector Steve Kent confirming that seven riders had been issued with community protection warnings.