A family from a County Durham town were left in shock after a quad bike sped past them, almost hitting a small child.

The incident happened on July 30 at St Oswalds Walk in Newton Aycliffe and police are now appealing for more information from the public.

The footage shows a “reckless” driver on a quadbike accelerating past a family sitting outside in the sun as small children play nearby.

As one of the children plays, the quadbike just narrowly misses them before they run to safety.

Police believe the driver was an adult carrying two children passengers.

The rider then carried on driving illegally over footpaths and grassed areas where “families would have been out.”

A spokesperson for Durham County Council Neighbourhood Wardens said: “Thankfully one of the small children ran to a safe place or this may have been a completely different outcome.

“The location where they were endangering live is a built-up housing estate, near to a children’s park and supported living accommodation.”

Read next:

Take advantage of our new flash sale and pay just £1 for 1 months on a digital subscription. Click here for more.

Police have described the quad bike as dark-coloured quads, while the drivers were described as wearing a green jacket, and black trousers with a black balaclava.

The middle rider was wearing a grey jacket with a grey hood with grey tracksuit bottoms.

The third rider was wearing all black with a black balaclava.

All of the riders were not wearing helmets.