Fencing could be installed at a nature reserve in Pill to stop teenage bikers from using it as a makeshift scramble track.

People living in the village have been complaining to the parish council that youngsters on motorbikes have been using the recreation area at Longshore, by the riverbank at Avon Road, as a track to race bikes.

The open space is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is owned by Bristol City Council and leased to Pill and Easton-in-Gordano Parish Council.

Youngsters also use the route to get to another piece of rough ground under the M5 motorway bridge where they meet to use their scramblers.

The area has a number of footpaths running through it and is a popular route for walkers as it links Avon Road to the cycle track and footpath which stretches along the banks of the River Avon towards Portishead.

Damaged fencing at the entrance to the site has now been repaired and a new gate installed to restrict access to pedestrians only.

But the council is now considering erecting fencing at the far end the site to prevent youngsters from getting in there on their bikes and is discussing the matter with the Bristol Port Company which own the land on the other side.

Parish council chairman Gerry Hunt said: "We have had complaints from residents that the land at Longshore is becoming churned up by motorbikes, which is making it difficult for them to walk across.

"We don't want to stop the young people from having fun on their scrambler bikes, but we do need to keep them out of the Longshore area.

"There are other routes the young people can use to get to the area of rough ground under the motorway bridge and we are asking them to co-operate with us and use these instead."