HIGH-performance Formula One cars are driving villagers round the bend at Elvington Airfield, near York.

Testing of the latest super-fast racing cars on the runway at Elvington Airfield by top teams such as Jaguar, McLaren Mercedes and Jordan, has been dubbed "absolutely hellish" by residents - because of the racket.

A noise abatement notice was recently served on the owners, Elvington Park Ltd, by City of York Council, following complaints about the testing.

But project manager Ian Wormald, who was questioned closely by villagers at their annual meeting, told them the company had appealed against the order.

He said the testing of high-performance vehicles had gone on at the airfield for years.

"The Formula One teams generally come at pretty short notice," Mr Wormald said.

"The testing is actually very short. There is certain noise that goes with high-performance cars but I think it's quite exciting. The testing only takes place during the week."

But Ian Bailey, chairman of Elvington Parish Council, said: "They (the Formula One cars) were tested five days in a row last week and the noise was absolutely hellish.

"They are breaking the law and we're waiting for the council to take action. The paradox is that the noise is even worse in Wheldrake, Heslington and Fulford."

Mr Bailey told the meeting that the owners of the airfield had always refused to have discussions with the council about activities at the airfield.

The parish council opposed Elvington Park's recent application for a main block comprising six hangar bays, and a separate additional hangar to be built on the green belt.

"It's absurd to expect future activities to be approved when their current activities are not even approved," Mr Bailey told the meeting.

But Mr Wormald said they planned to hold a public meeting in the next few months to discuss the proposals.

He dismissed claims that they were not willing to discuss the issue with the village.

"We can't have a dialogue if we're not invited to these meetings," he said.

Villagers also criticised the company during the meeting for being "too secretive" because it was registered in Lichtenstein.

"Why don't they be up front and tell us who they are," one resident said.

But Mr Wormald said details such as the company's registration were in the public domain.

Updated: 10:22 Thursday, April 28, 2005