Boy drove off in pick-up truck at 100km/h after his mum said he couldn't have a pet duck

A eight-year-old Australian boy sped off in the family's ute and reached speeds of up to 100km/h because his mum wouldn't let him have a pet duck.

West Wyalong Sgt Ken Dale said the boy was from a farm between West Wyalong and Grenfell in the Central West region of New South Wales, but couldn't give too many other details because of the boy's age.

Sgt Dale said the boy's mother phoned police and followed her son as he drove on a public road. Police were told he reached speeds of up to 100km/h (60 mph) before stopping after getting two flat tires. When police arrived at the scene the mother was with her son.

Sgt Dale said the boy was below the age of criminal responsibility and would not be charged. "For an eight-year-old to drive a manual he's done well but he was lucky," Sgt Dale said. Police have given the boy a warning and warned parents not to leave their keys in cars or easy to find places.