Mum divides opinion as she lets daughter, 10, DRIVE her Suzuki Swift around town

A decision to allow her ten-year-old daughter to her Suzuki Swift has divided opinion.

Kimberley Booth-Radford believes she has given Bonnie "a real confidence boost" by giving her the opportunity to operate the car. Now, Bonnie drives her mother and her driving instructor around town.

She's not legally allowed on the road until she's 17, but she can operate the vehicle as long as someone "responsible and aged 21 or over" is in the car with her. Kimberley, who lives in Solihull, West Midlands, said: "Bonnie is quite petite and obviously there are young people having lessons that are a bit older. So when some of the bigger [kids] or their parents see her behind the wheel, they sometimes look quite surprised.

"She looks so little when driving around in a proper car. But she jumps in and she is off. It's amazing how natural and calm she is getting behind the wheel at such a young age. I wish this had been around when I was a child."

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Bonnie, who her mum says always been fascinated by cars, got behind the wheel for the first time when she was just seven years old. When someone in the family mentioned Young Driver, a driving school for those under 17, Kimberley surprised her with some lessons and she's developed the interest since.

The youngster started in the Firefly car, which is specifically designed for four to nine year olds. Then, she moved on to driving a standard car. It costs £46.99 per 30 minute session, with the 10-year-old having three to date " and many more booked in.

Kimberley, who works in IT, said: "I know she's learning valuable skills which will be really helpful once she's 17. It's a lot of fun, too, and a real confidence boost to be able to do something so grown-up.

"She's never tried to jump in my car, though I think it won't be long until she is a better driver than me. I'm impressed by how much she's learned, and in a few years' time, she'll ace her actual test. There have been a few times where she's pointed out mistakes I'm making, but I welcome that. She's still got a lot of learning to do yet, though!"

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Kimberley hopes these lessons will now instil a sense of responsibility when Bonnie takes to the road as an adult. She said: "If more people encouraged their children to do this, it'll reduce the accident rate for young drivers.

"And it teaches them how to be in control of a car the proper way. It's great that she can tell her friends that she's driven a real car too. Not many kids get to say that."

Bonnie, while enjoying it, does find the lessons quite challenging. She said: "Learning the gear stick, indicators and looking around all at once is hard work. But I really enjoy driving like my mum does. The instructors make me feel so comfortable, and I'm not nervous at all. I can't wait to get my own car one day." But Kimberley concedes other drivers react in different ways - though are often "surprised" - to see Bonnie on the roads in "a proper car".