A Burnley man who lost his brother in a motorcycle accident has today urged bikers to join a first aid scheme aimed at saving lives on East Lancashire's roads.

Graem Barsby is backing the Lancashire Ambulance Service First Bike on the Scene project, which gives training on how to deal with accidents and follows a series of incidents on the area's isolated roads.

The first group of bikers have already undergone training and ambulance crews have urged people to enrole loved ones on the £60 course as a present which could save their lives.

Graem's brother, Jeffrey Craig Barsby, 35, of Higher Causeway, Barrowford, was returning from the Lakes with a group of fellow bikers when his 750cc Kawasaki collided with a deer on the isolated Whitewell Road, Cow Ark, in the Trough of Bowland, in August.

He had just split from the rest of the group late on a Sunday when the accident occurred and Graem, who is trained in first aid, said today: "Had I been there I might have been able to save him."

The course will teach bikers how to give casualties basic life support while waiting for the emergency services to arrive.

Graem, 45, of Grasmere Street, Burnley, said: "We won't know until his inquest in November if my brother died instantly, but there is some talk of paramedics having regained his pulse in the ambulance.

"I am also a keen biker and trained in first aid with the St John's Ambulance. Had I been there, I would certainly have had a go at doing something and might have been able to save his life.

"Bikers tend to go out in groups and use isolated roads. If at least one is trained in first aid, then in the event of an accident the casualty stands a better chance. I welcome this scheme. It is a brilliant idea and I urge all bikers to consider taking part. They could save the life of a friend."

The Department for Transport this week revealed that over 28,000 motorbikes were involved in road accidents in the UK last year.

Andrew Sullivan, commercial training manager with the Lancashire Ambulance Service, said: "The chance of a casualty surviving can be greatly enhanced by utilising a few basic first aid techniques.

"This course is a positive move by the Lancashire Ambulance Service to equip motorcyclists with the confidence and basic skills to safely manage the scene of an accident and stabilise a patient."

An inaugural course held at Lancashire Ambulance HQ, Preston, in August was attended by 11 bikers, including Phil Woodford, training manager at the Lancashire Ambulance Service.

He said: "While out biking with a group, I arrived at the scene of a terrible accident, which required the aid of the air ambulance.

"Many of the bikers expressed concern about what to do if they had been the first person on the scene."

PS Stuart Isherwood, of the Eastern road policing unit, said: "Bikers tend to go out in isolated areas and being able to stabilise someone that has been involved in an accident could save their life.

"This scheme is an excellent idea."

Mick Priestley, chairman of Accrington Motorcycle Club, added: "This scheme seems a great idea and I will certainly be recommending it to our 25 members."

For further details about the First Bike on the Scene project call Lancashire Ambulance Training Office on 01772 773141.