The mother of a toddler who was hit by a suspected stolen moped being ridden by teenagers has hit out at the joyriders.

Michelle May's 23-month-old daughter, Sky, was thrown four feet into the air and left with injuries to her face and head.

She said four teenagers, riding two motorbikes, tried to mow down an elderly woman before swerving towards Ms May.

She jumped out the way and thought her daughter was behind her. But the little girl was hit by one of the scooters and catapulted through the air.

The teenagers drove straight off.

Police warned the incident, on Tuesday afternoon, could have left the toddler seriously injured.

And they pledged to hunt down bike yobs and get them off the county's roads.

Ms May, of Plaistow Close, Brighton, said: "They are a menace. Sky was sent flying. They were going at some speed.

"I don't know who these boys are but the kids round here have been told countless times not to drive their mopeds round here because of the young children.

"Sky was crying. She was really upset. It could have been so much worse.

"I am furious. We spent the afternoon in accident and emergency and are waiting to find out if she needs an x-ray."

The mother-of-three said fences should be put up to prevent youths from riding through the residential area.

Police have arrested and questioned four teenagers aged 14 and 15 and seized two mopeds which they suspect are stolen.

Inspector Steve Curry, of Sussex Police, thanked the Whitehawk community for their help in identifying people believed to be responsible for knocking over Sky.

He said: "This is being treated as a very serious incident.

"It could have so easily been a tragedy.

"These people present a very real and serious danger to the public and themselves."

"We have had problems with people driving dangerously to the annoyance and danger of others. We will target people and arrest them."

Anyone with further information about the incident should contact Inspector Curry on 0845 6070999.