Cruisers in souped-up cars have been accused of causing a major nuisance on Hucknall bypass, particularly on Sunday nights.

Hundreds of vehicles have been known to gather on the road to either show off or race their vehicles.

Nearby residents have labelled the road a race track and say their lives are being made a misery by the noise of revving engines that goes on into the early hours.

In a bid to tackle the problem, Hucknall's former police chief, Insp Sean Konsek, led a campaign that secured a countywide injunction banning drivers congregating in groups of five or more.

But now an 18-year-old, who has asked to remain nameless, says he and his cruiser friends have been given a rough deal and are being criminalised.

The teenager, who has spent £7,000 on his Volkswagen Golf, said: "I go to work every day and the money I earn is spent on my car.

"Not all of us race our cars. I just like to meet up with my friends and talk about my car and show it. We are being judged as 'boy racers' because of the way our cars look.

"What would we be doing if we didn't have our cars? Would people prefer it if we were out committing crime and beating people up?

"I agree that a small minority do cause a problem. But the police should tackle those rather than making criminals of us all."

The teenager says he has already been given a warning under the injunction after meeting up with a group of friends. Another offence could land him in court or even prison.

But he said: "Why should we stop? I am not doing anything wrong. The problem isn't anywhere near as bad as people make out.

"I do not understand why we are being persecuted. I can understand why people are angry about the few who race but that isn't all of us.

"We cannot hang out with our friends because of how our cars look. Why doesn't someone try and find somewhere we can meet?"