A ten-year-old East Sussex boy has been convicted of driving while disqualified.

The child, who has already been banned for a previous driving offence, admitted driving a Vauxhall Cavalier while banned.

The boy, from Ore, near Hastings, also admitted taking the car without consent and driving without insurance on June 1 this year.

The case at Hastings Youth Court was adjourned until next Wednesday when the boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, will be sentenced.

Magistrate Ken Melsom said: "You are disqualified and you are also ten years old, and children are not allowed to drive anyway.

"You do not have the ability, you do not have the strength and you do not have the skills that are needed to drive.

"You are a danger to yourself. You could have killed yourself and just as importantly you are a danger to other people using the roads."

Mr Melsom also addressed the boy's parents, who were in court, saying: "You must do everything in your power to see that he does not drive motor vehicles."

Sussex Police said the Vauxhall Cavalier belonged to the boy's father and his parents had consented to charges being brought against him.