Some farms were told to improve quad bike training

Officials from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) carried out a series of unannounced visits to farms in Weardale and Teesdale.

The move follows the high-profile accident involving the rock star Ozzy Osbourne, who was seriously injured in a quad bike incident in December.

Inspectors found some workers had inadequate training and many sites where safety helmets were not used.

During December 55 farms were visited as well as several dealers who supply the vehicles to agricultural sites.

A spokeswoman for the HSE said: "Of these, 39 farms had quads and at 10 farms, suitable helmets were not provided for users, resulting in the issue of Improvement Notices to the farmers.

'No formal training'

"Notices were also issued requiring users to be adequately trained and a bike with a defective handbrake to be repaired.

"It was good to find that bikes were generally well maintained, but disappointing that a quarter of farms did not have helmets, particularly when we publicised this initiative well in advance.

"The need for quad bike users on farms to wear suitable head protection is well-recognised and a requirement which we actively enforce under workplace health and safety law.

"We also found that very few users had received any formal training in riding quads.

"These are not vehicles which new users should simply jump on and ride.

"Specialised active riding techniques are needed and there are training organisations who can provide the necessary instruction."

The HSE says it will repeat the inspections in other parts of the North East in the future.