POLICE in Blackburn are warning parents to get clued up on motorbikes after a dog walker was knocked down in a public park.

Ruth Wilding, 61, was thrown to the floor and left battered and bruised when a teenage biker rode straight at her as she walked her ginger mongrel, Billy, on Pleasington Playing Fields.

The youngster sped off while the local resident was forced to struggle home.

Now police have revealed that the area is a hotspot for illegal biking, and have called on parents to check on where their children are riding the machines.

Mrs Wilding, of Burlington Street, said: "It's always been a problem, but I haven't heard of anybody being knocked over before. I was on my way back to the car after walking the dog. I stood very still because I didn't want the dog to get run over, but he just came straight at me, injured my arm and knocked me to the floor."

Police have confirmed that the accident took place, on Sunday, January 11, but revealed that they regularly get complaints about the area.

Inspector Stuart Bruce said that with warmer weather approaching, complaints will shoot up, and parents should be aware of the rules.

He said: "There is no public land in this police division - and that covers Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley - that people can use off-road bikes, except for places with specific permission such as a farm. But it goes on week in week out and will get steadily worse as the spring and summer come.

"When confronted, parents often don't realise that what their youngsters were doing was wrong or causes a nuisance. But they must make sure the bikes are properly insured and licensed, and make sure that they have got permission to use it."

Mrs Wilding added: "I have stopped going in that part of the park because of the bikes and I would like to see someone get them off the land."

Ray Grimshaw, assistant director of direct services for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "The council is aware of the nuisance being created by the unauthorised use of cars and bikes in the parks. We are aware that in recent months there has been an increase in the use of trials bikes in Pleasington Playing Fields and we are working with the police to apprehend and prosecute the culprits.

"We would encourage members of the public to report any such incidents to the Parks Strategy Team on 01254 682525. We are determined to ensure that all of the parks are safe for the use of all members of the community and that this is not jeopardised by a selfish minority."