RIBBLE Valley residents are demanding a pedestrian crossing be installed at the spot where an 82-year-old woman died following a road accident.

Annie Bowker, of Crowtrees Gardens, Chatburn, sustained severe head injuries after she was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Astra which was travelling along Bridge Road towards Clitheroe. She was taken to Burnley General Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Miss Bowker's death has renewed calls for safety measures on the main road through the village which residents have long branded a potential death spot.

Ribble Valley councillor Howard Douglas said he organised a 400-signature petition calling for traffic calming measures and sent it to Lancashire County Council last year, but has heard nothing back since.

He said: "This was an accident that everybody in the village could see happening. People of all ages have been complaining that they have to dodge fast cars to cross the road at this spot.

"I organised a petition and practically everyone from the village signed it because they felt traffic had increased to a dangerous extent. Since the access was closed to Pendle Road, Clitheroe, from the eastern end of the A59, drivers simply turn into Chatburn at the Sawley Road exit.

"Many people drive through the village as a short cut to Clitheroe - resulting in a dangerous build up of traffic."

A spokesman for the county council's highways department said: "We will be speaking to the police regarding this accident and then we will look at what could be done."

An inquest into Miss Bowker's death was being opened.