Police have warned people thinking of buying mini motorbikes as Christmas presents that they are likely to be confiscated and destroyed.

There is growing concern about the machines, which can be bought for less than £150, being ridden illegally along roads, pavements and car parks.

Ian Thompson, 25, of James Avenue, Herstmonceux, died on a mini motorbike after colliding with a car in Lower Dicker last week.

Mr Thompson was on the A22 when he was in collision with a Mondeo, driven by a 40-year-old Polegate woman.

The accident, thought to be the first mini motorbike fatality in Sussex, is being investigated by police. Officers have become increasingly concerned about the increasing popualrity of the 49cc machines following a growing number of complaints about people riding them illegally in public places.

They are classed as ordinary road vehicles and need to be registered with the DVLA, taxed, insured and have the correct lights fitted to be legally ridden. Riders must also be over 16 and hold a valid driving licence.

Because of the size of the motorbikes, it is unlikely the DVLA would even register them for use as they are considered too small to use safely on public roads. The only place they can be ridden is on private property with the landowner's permission.

The bikes were a hot topic for discussion at the Whitehawk Crime Prevention Forum in Brighton on Wednesday.

Residents say their lives are being blighted by people of all ages riding them on pavements and public places.

One said: "There are grown men riding these tiny bikes. They look like circus clowns. They look ridiculous and they are dangerous."

Police working in East Brighton are taking a tough line and working with the community safety team to ensure the bikes are not ridden illegally.

John Mitchell, head of the team, urged people to take photos of nuisance riders so they could be identified and action taken.

Sergeant Dave Derrick said officers had seized one of the bikes on the estate and only returned it with a promise that it would not be ridden in a public place. If the agreement is broken, it will be seized and destroyed.

He warned parents he would seize the bikes from anyone under the age of 16 found riding one for their own safety.

Sgt Derrick said two offenders were caught last week. He said: "We will have the bikes off them and destroyed."