The pensioners contacted the 'MAIL' following recent reports of the bikers who are making life a misery for residents in Brownlow.

They said: "As a group of elderly residents in the Drumnamoe and Kilwilke area, who live adjacent to the 'green', we can empathise with the torture and terror suffered by the families in Craigavon as a result of mindless thugs riding recklessly on motor bikes of all types.

"Every day of the week we are subjected to the noise and nuisance of bikes from around 2pm to 8pm and we are powerless to stop them."

Direct pleas to the thugs have only resulted in a torrent of abuse for those who have been brave enough to speak out.

The residents say the green is the responsibility of the Housing Executive who have been made aware of the problem but have done nothing to tackle it.

Residents were also less than impressed with the police line that they had taken a number of prosecutions: "We have no knowledge of any in our area."

They went on: "We would welcome the police to visit the area – the entrance via Ennis Close – to see these thugs and take positive action by confiscating their bikes as this would appear to be the only way to stop them."

They said they had contacted the 'MAIL' because they are in a "state of despair"

Many of them are ill and housebound: "We are mentally and physically unable to take much more of this."

They did not want their identities disclosed for fear of their own safety.

A Housing Executive spokesperson said: "The Housing Executive fully understands that this issue is a major nuisance to many residents in the Kilwilke Estate.

"However, it is not one that the Housing Executive can solve on its own. Any solution will require the co-operation of the local residents of the area and the other agencies concerned.

"The Housing Executive has previously met with local residents, PSNI and Councillors regarding this and is willing to meet again to see if, jointly, a solution can be found."