A schoolboy who saved his pocket money to buy a battery-powered scooter has been banned from riding it.

Peter Foster, 13, bought the goped after seeing it advertised in a magazine.

But then he discovered it can only been driven on the road by people over 16 and must have number plates, tax and insurance.

Peter and friend Harley Gasson, 13, took their scooters out for a spin in Burgess Hill, and ran into the police.

An officer stopped the two teenagers, who were riding on the pavement, telling them they were breaking the law.

They were told they could not ride the scooters because they were under 16.

Peter, of West Street, Burgess Hill, said: "The officer told us it was illegal for us to ride them. He read the rules, which said we were too young. I was really disappointed because he told us we had to take the bikes back to the shop."

Peter returned his £188 scooter to TLC Electrical in Burgess Hill and was given a refund.

He said: "It's really unfair, I still see lots of people riding the scooters in the park who look under 16. And the scooters don't seem to have number plates."

Peter's mother Roxanna said: "The boys were told they couldn't ride the scooters on the pavement. I asked the officer if he could suggest where they could ride them and he said the only place would be if we had a drive. I think the whole thing is rather sad."

Mrs Foster said she had no idea her son could not legally ride one of the scooters.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said gopeds were popular but were classed as motor vehicles. He said many riders were unaware of this.

He said: "Some parents have bought them for children and allow them to ride on the pavements. The law says they cannot ride them unless they are 16 or over and then only on the road."