by Edward Chadwick Crime Reporter DRIVERS gathering for a car enthusiasts' meeting in Bolton town centre were met with police blockades last night.

Officers used vans to block entrances to the car park in Folds Road, owned by Euro Car parks, where hundreds of car fanatics meet every Thursday.

Scores of owners of modified cars gathered instead on a neighbouring car park off All Saints Street, which is owned by Bolton Council.

Sgt Chris Walker of Bolton police said: "Euro Car Parks hired a security firm for the night and we have had a presence in the town centre to make sure there was no breach of the peace.

"The closure of the car park has caused some displacement and we had a large amount of traffic in the town.

"Traffic patrols were in the area and anybody driving irresponsibly was warned that their car would be seized if they were caught again."

The Folds Road car park was closed by its owners in response to thousands of pounds worth of damage caused by "cruisers" at the unofficial events.

Up to 200 car enthusiasts meet in the town centre every Thursday to compare modifications but police have become concerned that high-speed and reckless driving will end in a serious accident.

Motorists have also been blamed for causing £5,000 of damage to barriers on the car park off Folds Road which were wrecked when drivers forced their way on three weeks ago. More than 40 people have been issued with warnings under Section 59 of the Police Reform Act, which allows officers to seize cars being driven in an anti-social manner.

Anybody whose car is impounded after being caught driving dangerously will have to pay a £105 release fee and £12 storage for every day it is held by police.

A meeting is being held today by police and Bolton Council to discuss a possible new venue for the events.