THE widow of Liberal Democrat councillor Wilf Clegg has won a nationwide fight for improved safety for postal workers.

And the news that all Royal Mail cyclists will be issued with compulsory cycle helmets has come as a timely tribute to the popular Holyrood representative who would have celebrated his 56th birthday next Monday (Oct 7).

Mr Clegg, a postman, suffered serious head injuries after his bicycle was in collision with a van on Bury New Road, Prestwich in April 2000.

He was not wearing a helmet and his death five days later devastated his family.

His widow Jeanette, of Brandram Road, believed that her husband would have stood a better chance of survival if he had worn protective head gear and, with the support of Ivan Lewis MP, she began a campaign for the introduction of safety helmets for Royal Mail cyclists.

Mrs Clegg's battle came to an end this week when she received a letter from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) announcing that they and Royal Mail supported the introduction of compulsory cycle helmets and high visibility protective clothing.

High visibility waistcoats became compulsory from this week and, following trials in Prestwich, 35,000 cycle helmets, at a cost of £1.25 million, will be gradually issued to employees from November.

All postal workers who make deliveries by bicycle will have been issued with a helmet by March 2003 which must be worn at all times.

In the letter from the CWU, Dave Joyce, chairman of the NEC Health, Safety and Environment Committee, said: "Conscious of the fact that five members had died in cycle accidents from head injuries in a three year period the Union and Royal Mail agree that action was needed to improve cycle safety standards in order to reduce the risk of serious and fatal injuries among our delivery workforce."

Delighted with the announcement, Mrs Clegg said: "One death is one too many. If Wilf had been wearing a helmet he would have survived for longer. He may not have been in a good state but he would have had a chance. I can't bear to see postmen cycling around Prestwich without a helmet."

She added: "With all the changes at Royal Mail I thought the campaign might have been forgotten about but when I got this letter I was really pleased. This is something I know Wilf would have done if it had been one of his colleagues that had died. It has given me something to strive for after his death and now we can move on with our lives."