MORE than 700 cars taking part in a ÒcruiseÓ invaded the car park at the Water Lane branch of SainsburyÕs on Saturday night, causing chaos for customers and staff and forcing the store to close early.

The event, which attracted more than 2,500 Òboy racersÓ, was organised by car enthusiasts to demonstrate driving skills and show off their vehicles.

As a result, hundreds of Saturday shoppers were unable to use the store and SainsburyÕs staff who had finished their shifts could not get out of the blocked car park.

The Herald understands that people involved in the event had recently been banned from participating in the monthly cruise held in Guildford which features a parade of Classic American cars. They were deemed a disruptive influence.

Store spokesperson Dave Lake described the scene of revving engines and loud music blaring from car stereos as Òtotal mayhemÓ and as concern for public safety grew, the petrol station forecourt and the main store were closed at 9-37 pm.

Police were soon on the scene but no arrests were made.

Mr Lake added that the aftermath was Òextremely unpleasantÓ with the car park littered with bottles and supermarket trolleys found in trees.

When the cruise began to disperse at around 11-30 pm, surrounding roads were soon gridlocked, causing further problems for residents.

Residents in Hurlands Close suffered the noise of revving engines and screeching tyres for several hours and one elderly couple were unable to drop their grandchildren off because of the blocked-off road.

A resident who did not wish to be named, described the noise of the cars as deafening but was too afraid to confront any of those involved.

ÒI couldnÕt believe it, I just couldnÕt think where the noise was coming from. All the residents stood on the pavement and I remember one neighbour rushing up to me, shouting ÔWhat the hell is going on, the vibrations from the noise is shaking my house to the core.ÕÓ

She said that many of the elderly residents in the road were distressed by the level of noise from screeching tyres which left skid marks.

Temporary Superintendent Neil Boon and borough inspector Andrea Wood met with store manager Mike Donoghue this week to devise a strategy to prevent a possible recurrence.

Supt Boon said: ÒEvents such as this inevitably impact on the normal state of stability and fortunately are rare in Farnham.

ÒIt is unreasonable to expect that normal resourcing is geared to meet such inordinate demand. Available resources were immediately deployed to the site and every effort was made to mobilise additional resources from across the force in support.

ÒEarly police attendance included officers from the mobile Support Division and dog section. I understand that some people may perceive that the initial response by the police was inadequate and nothing much was done.

ÒThe fact of the matter is we did respond and immediately took steps to reinforce that response.

ÒI applaud the action taken by Mike Donoghue and the brave decision he made to close the store and the petrol station forecourt.Ó