BOSSES at Marwell Zoo have said they have been left with no choice but to ban scooters following a series of complaints by visitors.

Children will no longer be able to ride around the park on two wheels when a ban comes into effect next month.

Some visitors have objected to the move on social media while others welcomed the end to a nuisance.

Zoo chiefs said they have been forced to outlaw scooters after a series of “near misses” and a flouting of existing rules by some parents.

Marwell introduced new rules last year that said only younger children wearing helmets were permitted to ride scooters but, as a result of parents ‘smuggling’ scooters into the park for older children and not ensuring safety gear was being worn, they have been forced to ban them entirely.

A statement confirming the decision read: “Although the number of scooters in the zoo has fallen we are still experiencing feedback from guests based on scooter misuse and dealing with a range of issues such as a minority of guests who smuggle scooters onto the site for older children to use.

“We also determined that wearing of helmets was essential for children riding scooters on hard surfaces. Unfortunately, with some guests preferring children in their care to ride unprotected, we have found the wearing of helmets impossible to police.

“We actively tried to find a middle ground but now feel that we have to fall in line with other attractions who have regretfully decided that scooters and similar ‘push-alongs’ are no longer appropriate for this site.”

The zoo already outlaws other push-long transport, including rollerskates, rollerblades, bikes and Heelys and tricycles.

News of the ban, which comes into effect at the end of next month, has been largely welcomed by visitors to the attraction.

Writing on the zoo’s social networking site Joanne Blake said: “Thank goodness for that! Fed up with kids on scooters almost crashing into you as they can’t steer properly.”

Rachel Findlay posted: “Scooters are a nuisance and unnecessary. If a child is too small to walk the zoo then get a buggy.”

Some parents did voice their objection, claiming the actions of a few irresponsible parents had impacted on everyone.