Saftey inspectors carrying out spot checks at farms across East Sussex were horrified to find a five-year-old boy riding on a tractor.

The discovery was one of a series of potentially deadly incidents uncovered by the blitz which officers say has highlighted cause for concern on county farms.

In Polegate and Etchingham, inspectors found the riders of two quad bikes had received inadequate training, while in Rye a tractor was being used with no mirrors.

At nearby Peasmarsh, a man operating a chainsaw was not wearing protective equipment.

Six inspectors from the Health and Safety Executive issued 22 enforcement notices, 12 of them immediately banning the use of agricultural equipment, when they carried out unannounced visits to 76 farm and forestry premises.

A spokesman said: "In the Hastings area a five-year-old child was found riding on a telescopic handler, a cross between a tractor and a fork-lift truck.

"It is illegal to carry a child under 13 on an agricultural machine while it is being used on a farm."

Mike Walters, the HSE inspector who organised the blitz, said: "The HSE and Sussex Police have carried out a number of similar inspections in the last five years.

"It has been very noticeable this time that farmers appear to be maintaining their tractors and trailers in a better state of repair.

"It was disappointing, however, to find a large number of agricultural machines either poorly guarded or with no guard at all.

"Although we did find examples of good practice, which is encouraging, farmers must be more active in protecting themselves and their employees from injury.

"Poor health and safety standards lead not only to accidents with their personal and financial costs, but the same failings, even where no injuries result, lead to damage to machinery or buildings with more financial costs."

Of the 22 enforcement notices issued, 11 related to transport, including trailer brakes, missing doors and mirrors, and driver training.