Police in Hampshire have warned people to read up on road laws before buying loved ones an e-scooter this Christmas. 

Electric scooters - which can reach speeds of up to 20mph, cannot be ridden on a public path, pavement or road.

A post on the Facebook page of Hedge End Police warned people think twice before buying one as a present this year. 

The post read: "With Christmas coming up, I thought it would be a good time to be a Grinch or Scrooge (depending on your generation) and say bah humbug to the rise in use of E-Scooters!

"Did you know that they are classed as a Motor Vehicle in the UK and as such are covered by the Road Traffic Act 1988 and require you to have a valid provisional or full driving license, insurance for the Scooter as well as an MOT. 

"It should be noted that it is not currently possible to register them privately at this time!

"This means that no privately owned E-Scooter can be ridden on a public path, pavement or road (this includes public car parks!)"

The post warned that if caught using an e-scooter in a public place, riders are likely the be fined, receive points on their license and the scooter could be seized. 

The post finished: "Please be aware of this when deciding what to put on the list for Santa this year."