PARENTS buying exciting gifts for children this Christmas could be heading down the road to disaster.

Cleveland Police are warning that motorised scooters, quad bikes and off-road motorbikes bring a host of legal requirements that many parents are not aware of.

The worst-case scenario could mean children being stopped from using their gifts and having them confiscated.

Sergeant Joe Jessop, from the road policing unit, said: "The last thing we want to be is Scrooge at Christmas, but parents need to be aware that these bikes and scooters when used on public roads or paths require a driving licence, insurance and appropriate MoT and tax.

"It's a simple thing to buy one of these machines, but parents should think carefully about security and the place where it will be use.

"There are few places that they can be ridden legally and if you intend to use them on private land you will need the permission of the landowner.

"I wouldn't want to see a lot of unhappy youngsters after Christmas with expensive gifts unable to use them."

Officers are also warning parents to be careful when buying so-called field bikes out of local papers as many are stripped- down road bikes and in some cases could be stolen.

Sgt Jessop said: "Any motorcycle bought this way should be examined very carefully for frame and engine numbers and if they have been removed, then walk away. Any legitimate bike will have a vehicle registration log book. If not, think twice or face the possibility of having the bike seized."

Anyone caught riding a motorised scooter, quad bike or off-road bike illegally, could face prosecution, and the penalty for riding on open land, the sand dunes or on the beach carries a fine of up to £5,000.

Last month, a 13-year-old youth received six penalty points for riding a battery-powered scooter on the footpath near his home in New Marske, east Cleveland.