THE father of a teenager, badly injured after crashing his scooter, is calling on parents to make sure their children's crash helmets are fitted properly.

Daniel McMahon, of Halton Avenue, Leyland, fell off his scooter after hitting a car, but was injured when his helmet flew off.

Now the 16-year-old has been left unable to talk or eat properly, although he is expected to take make a full recovery in time.

Runshaw College student Daniel was riding his scooter along Leyland Way, Leyland, doing just 15 miles per hour, when he lost control and hit the car in front.

His father Graham said: "My biggest fear is turning on the television and seeing a helmet has come off a child at 30mph and he is dead. Had Daniel come off at 30mph he would have died."

After the accident Daniel ended up in casualty with several teeth missing and needed stitches in his chin.

Now his father is appealing to the police to help him get the safety message across. Graham said: "He can't go to college because he can't talk and certainly can't eat.

"The police are forever stopping these kids on scooters. Wouldn't it be a good idea to tell them to check the helmets at the same time?

"There's no question as to whose fault it was -- he hit the car. But his helmet flew off.

"A 16-year-old knows nothing about it when they buy their first helmet."

Chief Inspector Val Prince, responsible for road safety at Lancashire Constabulary, said: "You must make sure you go to a reputable dealer, and buy a helmet that is British Standard approved, and make sure you wear it properly."

Jim Potts, Trading Standards officer at Lancashire County Council, said people should never be tempted to buy a second-hand helmet. He added: "The ones that have been painted or customised can have a weakened structure.

"They need to fit properly and securely, and don't be too tight or too loose."