THE owner of a motorsports shop is offering Go-ped users a safe place to race their machines after police urged parents to think twice before purchasing them as Christmas presents.

Police have issued a reminder to parents that it is an offence to ride the motorised scooters in a public place.

And they also warned that they would seize machines being used illegally as they have done on a number of occasions across Pennine Division this year.

But Ross Walker, owner of the Rocket Centre, Whitebirk Drive, Blackburn, says the powered scooters can be used legally, if users stick to the rules, even though some youngsters have hit the headlines for abusing the machines.

He said: "We provide somewhere for people to use them. We have been selling them for the past 15 years and make sure people buying them are fully aware where they can and can't be used.

"They are designed to be an off-road vehicle, it's just a case of having somewhere you can use then. At the moment the Chinese have tapped into the market and are producing them to be sold in places like Blackpool for £50 a pair when they actual starting retail selling price is £450.

"We are an extremely responsible organisation and ensure that all users wear protective equipment."

The Rocket Centre runs a session, from 7-10pm on Wednesdays, at land at its Whitebirk Drive premises.

Sergeant Martin Bishop from Pennine Division's Road Policing Unit said: "Go-peds are expensive items so it is only fair that parents know the law before they go out and buy one for their child.

"The law is quite clear. It is an offence to ride a Go-ped in a public place. In fact the only place that the motorised scooters can be ridden is on private land with the owner's permission."

He added: "The last thing we want to do is spoil anyone's fun this Christmas but the fact is, these go-peds are motor vehicles and potentially quite dangerous if used illegally. It is important that people understand, and abide by, the law."