A councillor has called for proper training and safety education for e-scooter riders as he anticipates an increase in sales over the Christmas period.

Carlisle City Councillor for Currock and Upperby, Chris Wills, has expressed concern over the potential increase in e-scooter miss-use, saying they are being used recklessly on Carlisle's footpaths.

Last month it was revealed that 131 pedestrians in Britain had been injured by e-scooters over the previous 12 months.

"There are thousands of people buying these things from retailers," said Cllr Wills.

"It's the danger of the things. They are being used by people who don't know how to use them properly and [in] many cases [have] got no [sense of road safety].

"On the footpaths they are increasingly causing some really serious accidents out there.

"The biggest concern I have is for people who are vulnerable, like the frail and elderly, and young people.

"The [scooters] are so quiet and they can move at a speed. As an adult on a bike - 15 to 20 miles per hour hitting you can do real damage, and if its a head injury it could kill or paralyse you.

"It is a real concern and it is just growing."

According to the Department of Transport, other road users injured in e-scooter collisions around the country in the year ending June include 36 cyclists and 32 vehicle occupants.

Fourteen casualties were aged 70 and above, while 17 were between 60 and 69.

Twenty-one children under 10 were injured.

To help curb the issue, Cllr Wills said he would like to see compulsory training brought in.

He added: "It's not the only answer, but people could get trained. If you are going to ride a motorcycle on a road, you have to have training. That is exactly what should happen with the e-scooters.

"They are powered vehicles, so there is a strong case for some form of compulsory training for their use.

Cumbria County Council Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "I think what we would look for is for parents to have bought [e-scooters] responsibly for children of a certain age.

"I wouldn't disagree that some training would be advantageous, and perhaps we can work with our schools and see whether the police have had any concerns raised with them."