TEENAGE mountain bikers have hit back over accusations of anti-social behaviour in Malvern's Priory Park.

Two cyclists who were part of the group forced to remove themselves from the steps of Malvern Theatres two weeks ago said they did nothing wrong. They say there is nowhere else for bikers to hang-out.

"The park is the only safe place to go. If we go on the streets it's more dangerous," said Mike Carry, aged 14. "People say go up the hills or the common but if we do we get moaned at or shouted at.

"If there was a bit of land set aside for biking we'd be quite happy to go there and pay a reasonable amount towards it. Behind the youth centre there's space and they haven't done anything there."

Alec Gordon, aged 16, said when he was biking through the park with a friend last week he was verbally abused by a dog-walker.

"I was just riding my bike by the pond and one old lady told us we weren't allowed. My friend said she shouldn't have a dog in the park and then she abused us.

"She said my parents should be shot for the way I was brought up.

"I found it upsetting and very rude, especially from an older person."

But he accepted there were problems at the park.

"There are a lot of people up there and some cause trouble," he said. "I wouldn't say it's a massively big problem but it's not small.

"A park keeper would be a good idea. A keeper would keep people away and stop them damaging things and getting other people in trouble."