Michelle Waite from Mablethorpe said: "Last year one of them ran into me and nearly broke my leg. You just don't expect to get run over on the pavement."

Ironically, even our photographer Ian Holmes was knocked over by a mobility scooter when he was in the town over the weekend to take a picture.

He said: "One hit me from behind and knocked me over leaving my leg badly bruised. The man on the scooter didn't seem to notice and just drove off."

A visitor to Sutton on Sea who asked to remain anonymous said: "I saw a man aged about 70 years-old bare-chested and riding side saddle on a mobility scooter along the prom. When I looked again he was standing upright on the scooter, I couldn't believe my eyes."

The latest version of the Highway Code, which now includes a section on mobility scooters, states: "Powered scooters MUST NOT travel faster than 4mph (6 km/h) on pavements" adding: "You should give pedestrians priority and show consideration for other pavement users."

Roger Vincent press officer for The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents said: "Even at 4mph these machines can still do a lot of damage if they were to knock over an elderly person or a child."

There are two types of scooter, class 2 - which can travel on pavements and have a maximum speed of 4mph, and class 3 - which are also allowed on the road with a maximum speed of 8mph. Users of these machines also come under the same drink driving laws as regular motorists.

Inspector Jon Morris from lincolnshire Police explained their position on the Highway Code's rules: "As our speed guns don't register anything below ten miles per hour it will be difficult to enforce. However, we do intend to ensure that local people are educated about the legislation."

* To learn more about the legislation for mobility scooters contact PCSO Ben Morris at Mablethorpe Police Station on 01507 472222