MOTORBIKE riders involved in anti-social behaviour could spark an extension of Basildon Council's ban on vehicles to include a local park.

The council is to consider extending its public space protection order (PSPO), which includes a ban on using cars in certain parts of the borough, to Nevendon Recreation Ground in Wickford after requests by councillors.

According to a council report to the past week's meeting of the full council, there have now been reports of anti-social behaviour caused by motorbike riders at the Wickford park.

Cllr David Harrison asked the council for "urgent arrangements" to include Nevendon Park in the list of places included in the ban. He also asked for more precise wording in the order, which would specifically identify the recreation ground and motorbikes.

Later in the meeting, the council approved a motion by Conservative Cllr Alex Myers asking it to expand the ban at the next annual review, after consulting the public.

Council leader Andrew Baggott will also to take up the issue of anti-social behaviour in the recreational ground with Essex Police.

He said: "We are absolutely adamant that we will stamp out any form of anti-social behaviour or anything which is going on which is making our residents' lives a misery."

However, he said that while the council would look at expanding the PSPO if there are issues identified with the area, it would have to follow a process, and that he did not know how long it would take.

The council approved a borough-wide order last year and set the penalty for breaching the ban at £100 at a meeting earlier this month. This will be discounted to £75 if paid within seven days of being issued.

Drinking alcohol and taking drugs in Pitsea and Basildon town centres were among the activities banned by the order, as well as using a motor vehicle "without reasonable excuse or permission from the council banned" in several of the borough's parks and recreation grounds.

Car meets and car cruising have also been banned in Pitsea town centre and Festival Leisure Park.