WE have halfwits turning residential streets into racetracks, 4X4 fanatics ploughing up woodland walks... and now river hooligans in powerboats.

I saw one such inadequate on Sunday as I walked by the river on the way to Severn Stoke. The craft announced its arrival with a high-pitched whine that grew ever louder... and then came roaring past at about 30mph.

At the helm was a young man. At his side was his awestruck girlfriend.

I sat down on some boulders at the water's edge, careful to avoid the miniature tsunami this riverhog had unleashed.

The boat was receding over the horizon when I detected a movement on the opposite bank. It was an otter, obviously wondering what the fuss was all about.

I have a message for Idiot Boy. Showing off in boats is bad for everyone, people and wildlife included. So calm down - and slow down.

But if polite requests fail, perhaps the Environment Agency could start to take action. The Severn must not be allowed to become a noise-ridden, aquatic version of the M6.