ANGRY residents have blasted the Marlow Town Regatta and Festival for being a "nightmare" and labelled it a weekend of trouble.

People living in Crown Road say drunken revellers at the two-day event subjected them to loutish behaviour, vandalism and foul and abusive language, forcing them to become prisoners in their own homes.

One homeowner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: "We had a whole lot of trouble over the weekend."

According to her, the town's annual showpiece, which was celebrating its fourth anniversary since splitting from the competitive rowing event now held at Dorney, has been a constant worry for some Marlovians in recent times.

She added: "It's one of those annual nightmares.

"The residents sit there quivering, wondering what will happen this year.

"I think the regatta is a good thing, but it does create a lot of problems.

"It would be a real shame to lose the tradition, but what we end up with is a town full of drunken yobs."

Another resident, who also wished to remain nameless, blamed regatta-goers for damaging her car to the tune of £1,300 along with a number of others on Saturday evening.

She said: "I just think it's disgusting that Marlow turns into this nightmare over the regatta weekend.

"I went along in the afternoon, but didn't want to stay out in the evening because I didn't feel safe.

"Then I find my car along with some of my neighbour's vehicles have been keyed."

Another resident revealed she was simply too scared to go out.

She said: "We feel like prisoners in our own homes because we are scared.

"You can't really relax and if you go out to tell them off you get a mouthful of abuse."

However, Crown Road resident Nicola Power, who also had her car scratched, said the regatta was not to blame.

She said: "It's nothing to do with the regatta. It's just wanton vandalism in Marlow.

"I had my car damaged last year when the regatta wasn't on.

"It's just drunken oiks causing trouble and it could happen on any weekend in the year."

James Campbell, chairman of the Marlow Town Regatta and Festival organising committee, said: "It is possible the damage was caused by people from the regatta, but I know there is damage in the town every weekend.

"If it was the case I would be very, very sorry for the residents."

Police confirmed five cars parked on Crown Road had been damaged sometime during the weekend.