RESIDENTS have backed a campaign to have parts of a neighbourhood turned into a no-go area for traffic after a youngster was hit by a motorbike.

Cory Reilly-Sully (14), of Spruce Avenue, Bury, was injured when a motorbiker pulling a wheelie stunt lost control and the bike ploughed into the youngster who was standing with a group of friends in Deal Street, Bury, on March 1.

Cory suffered a fractured leg which had to be reset using nine metal pins in an operation at Fairfield Hospital.

Now neighbours have joined forces to campaign for restrictions to be added to the roads around the area, which are regularly used by speeding motorcyclists.

Mick Blain, who lives in nearby Cedar Street, said: "We really want to have something done about this. Motorbikes come speeding along these roads. It was only a matter of time before something serious like this happened. Cars can also be driven between the bollards already erected on these roads.

"The residents around here would like to see the road blocked off permanently, maybe with a road block with a bar across, so that emergency vehicles, push bikes and buggies will still be able to gain access. I will be taking the idea to the police, local councillors and MPs to see if they would help us with our campaign and hopefully stop anything like this happening again."

MP for Bury North, David Chaytor, recently visited the residents to look at Mr Blain's ideas and discuss traffic issues with the neighbours.

He said: "I am particularly concerned about this issue because, by amazing coincidence, the spot where this youngster was knocked down was where I used to play in Cedar Street as a child. I saw the story in the Bury Times and was then contacted by Mr Blain.

"This is an awful incident and someone out there must know who did this. I urge them to contact the police as soon as possible. The bollards across the street are not doing the job . Mr Blain and the residents have come up with an alternative design that would enable pushbikes, buggies and the emergency services through. This will be put to the ward councillors."