Venues for young mini-moto fans

Venues where mini-motos can be ridden legally will be set up

Police in County Durham are offering young mini-motorbike enthusiasts help to stay on the right side of the law.

Specialist officers are to set up a club aimed at riders aged between six and 16.

The club will create temporary circuits around the region where the 49cc machines can be ridden legally.

In the past year, within the force area, 600 youngsters have been issued with formal police warnings after being caught riding illegally.

The first one will be within the grounds of County Hall in Durham in March.

Inviting parents

The officers from the motorcycle section, who have all qualified as instructors, have bought eight new and identically liveried mini-motos, each capable of up to 30 mph.

Sergeant Bob Brown, who is behind the venture, said: "Rather than just hand out warnings or confiscate and destroy machines we are determined to try and do something about it.

"When we launch the scheme, which we intend to take to venues across County Durham and Darlington, we will be inviting parents to bring their own machines - they easily load into the boot of a car - and their children to take part.

"The mini-motos we have bought will be made available to youngsters without a machine who want to get a flavour of the sport."