PARENTS planning to buy motorised scooters as a present this Christmas could be putting their child's life in danger.

Cleveland Police say buying a youngster a motorised scooter could be a recipe for disaster.

Cleveland traffic police officer Sergeant Joe Jessop warned it may only be a matter of time before a child is seriously hurt or killed hurtling along a road or path.

"Some of them are a relatively young age and as a result they have not a great deal of road sense. That is one of our concerns.''

He said the danger was increased when children used the scooters on dark evenings.

He said: "The potential is quite catastrophic. You have something relatively small and with quite a turn of speed. There is a possibility one is going to appear from nowhere in front or a car or suddenly emerge from a pavement into the road."

"In the right place they can be of enormous fun but our concern is they are being used in the wrong place.''

Parents have also been warned that anyone using a scooter, quad bikes or off-road bikes on a road needs a driving licence, insurance, MoT certificate and tax.

Sgt Jessop said: "There are few places where they can be ridden legally and if you intend to use them on private land, you will need the permission of the landowner - preferably before you buy the machine.

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