A GRANDFATHER who lives near Whitefield Metrolink says that the area is like "a scene from Fast and the Furious" as souped-up cars congregate to rev engines until all hours.

More than 20 cars have been seen — and heard — being driven down to the lower level car park at the station once a week to show off to crowds of young people.

Terry Maffia, aged 73, says that the noise is so loud it sounds like an explosion in his back garden and despite calls to Metrolink and the police he claims that neither is taking his complaint seriously.

Mr Maffia, of Nuttall Avenue, said: "We've lived here for more than 34 years and we've never had any problems like this before. The boom noise of the exhaust is so loud it's like an explosion. It's happening about once a week now and it goes on until well after midnight sometimes.

"I have called Metrolink who say it's a police matter and the police say it's Metrolink because it's private land. I feel like I'm being passed from pillar to post. It's not right that we have to just put up with it."

Car cruising is where motor enthusiasts meet up at a pre-determined location to show off the prowess of their vehicles by driving around and revving their engines to a crowd.

The Fast and the Furious film franchise, featuring Vin Diesel and Paul Walker, focuses on illegal street racing and heists, using cars such as a Mitsubishi Eclipse and a Toyota Supra.

Mr Maffia, who lives with his wife Susan, aged 69, said: "They usually congregate on a Wednesday evening. Two weeks ago there were more cars that I'd ever seen before and a crowd of about 50 people watching the drivers rev their engines and generally show off.

They drive the cars around at ridiculous speeds even though there are cars parked under there — I'm surprised there hasn't been an accident yet. Then they park up and rev their engines more. It's only a matter of time before someone gets hurt."

Peter Cushing, Transport for Greater Manchester's Metrolink director, called the behaviour is "completely unacceptable" and warned cruisers that they run the risk of having their cars seized by police due to driving on private land.

He said: "We have taken these complaints very seriously. Metrolink works hard to be a good neighbour and this kind of thoughtless, nuisance behaviour is completely unacceptable.

"We are working with Greater Manchester Police, through our Travelsafe Unit, to tackle this problem. These car parks are private property for use by Metrolink customers only and offending drivers run the high risk of having their vehicles seized by police."