AN East Lancashire biker who yesterday afternoon was involved in a race in which a fellow contestant died today vowed to carry on competing.

Tim Levy sustained fatal injuries in a five-bike pile-up early into the ninth round of the British 250cc Championship at Cadwell Park, in Lincoln.

An air ambulance was called and officials cancelled the race.

Darren Barton, from Dukes Drive, in Hoddlesden, was just ahead of the pack when the accident happened behind him.

He said Tim, of Bury St Edmunds, was a respected rider and described it is an unfortunate incident.

Darren, 26, said: "I didn't really know him to talk to, but I would say hello to him.

"There was a big pile-up on the first corner and the bikes ran into him. It was a freak incident which really shouldn't have happened.

"The bikers were travelling straight when they crashed and there was nowhere for them to go."

Darren, who has been riding bikes for 10 years, said his thoughts went out to Mr Levy's family.

He said that although the sport did pose a risk, he would carry on.

A trainee printer at his dad's company in Clayton-le-Moors, Darren said: "All bikers know this is not the safest of sports but Tim's death was the result of an unfortunate accident.

"It is the first one I have been involved with in all my time racing."

The championship will now be rescheduled.