A BABY was taken to hospital after a reckless off-road biker sped into the path of his pram yesterday.

The baby boy was being pushed in his pram close to the Blue Bridge in Norton when someone riding a bright orange bike came towards them at speed.

The reckless behaviour caused his mother to throw the pram out of the vehicle's path in a bid to save her child from injury.

The incident, which left the baby unharmed but his parents reportedly shaken, happened at around 1.30pm on Monday afternoon.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward.

She said: “A young woman was walking in the area with her baby, who is a few months old, in a pram when the bike came towards her at speed.

“She pushed the pram to one side to keep it out of the way.

“The baby was completely unharmed but, being so young, was taken to be checked over at hospital purely as a precaution.”

The spokeswoman added: “We would like to trace the bike which is very distinctive being bright orange, and the person riding it.

“It came up Norton Avenue, under the Blue Bridge then off towards Roseworth.

“Anyone with information on where the bike may be stored or who rides or owns it is asked to contact Cleveland Police.”

Information can be passed to the force by calling non-emergency number 101 quoting incident number 17088.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.