TAKING reckless risks with precious young heads leaves a legacy of lives in need of repair.

That is the diagnosis of doctors at Bury's Highbank Rehabilitation Centre, which regularly helps tackle the problems of children left brain damaged by cycle accidents.

Staff at the centre, in Manchester Road, Walmersley, used Brain Injury Awareness Week to promote the use of bike helmets at all times, not only for trips on main roads.

New statistics from the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust show 90 per cent of cycle accidents take place on minor routes, often near the home.

About 100,000 children across the country are seriously injured in bike accidents each year. Many with brain injuries go to Highbank's Lynn House for treatment.

Dr Krystyna Walton, medical director, said: "It is imperative that parents and children realise the importance of wearing helmets, regardless of the distance, location or traffic conditions on their journey.

"Cycling accidents can lead to long-term brain damage, not just broken bones."

Dr Walton, a consultant in rehabilitation medicine, added: "Wearing a helmet will protect and significantly reduce the level of long-term damage in the event of an impact or accident."

Following accidents, many children are discharged from hospital with behaviour, memory, communication and mobility problems.

Often, they face problems in school and may suffer from sight and hearing impairment.

Parents may find they are forced to terminate their child's education in order to find the appropriate aftercare. Last April, a Parliamentary select committee report to the Department of Health highlighted a critical lack of help for brain injury survivors and their carers.

And at Highbank, staff are calling for universal discharge plans to make patients' transition from hospital to home more seamless.

Phillip Thomas, Highbank's hospital director, said: "Currently, provision is very patchy.

"We receive referrals from all over the UK and Ireland, which clearly demonstrates the desperate need to offer treatment for children in an appropriate environment, at an appropriate pace, with trained specialists.

"We are also determined to meet patients' educational needs while they are in our care, so those ex-patients who are capable can integrate back into mainstream education when they leave."

Grown-ups too, are urged to take on board the importance of wearing cycle helmets.

Louise Chance, manager of Highbank's Peel Unit, which provides occupational therapy for adults, said: "We used to work with a lot more people who had been injured in cycle accidents, before helmets were as widely used as they are now."

Pleas to wear cycle helmets were echoed by Prestwich teacher John Cottam.

The 49-year-old survived severe head and brain injuries following a freak bike accident at the age of 27.

Mr Cottam, of Walker Avenue, endured a seven-hour operation and spent two months in hospital recovering from his injuries.

He learned to to walk again with the aid of a stick, rebuilt his life, and is now secretary of the North Manchester Headway branch, part of the National Brain Injury Association.

He said: "Statistics show that if children wear a helmet, they survive an accident better.

"In many cases when minor injuries are suffered in off-road accidents, or where no other vehicles are involved, these can be avoided altogether if a helmet is worn."