THE death of Holyrood councillor Wilf Clegg was accidental, a coroner ruled this week.

Mr Clegg died in May last year, a week after being critically injured in a cycling accident when he had not been wearing a helmet.

The 53-year-old father-of-three, from Brandram Road, Prestwich, died in the Royal Preston Hospital.

He had been working as a postman and is believed to have been cycling back to work when he suffered extensive head injuries in a collision with an Escort van outside the Tesco store in Prestwich.

Following his death his wife, Jeanette, led a campaign for all postmen to be issued with cycle helmets.

However, the inquest heard evidence from expert witnesses that cycle helmets provided only limited protection, dependent on the force of any impact.

In Mr Clegg's case, coroner Barrie Williams said: "Wearing a helmet would have lessened the chances of injury being as severe as it proved to be.

"We will never know what was in his mind when he crossed the road. It is likely he mis-judged the speed of the van or did not see it.

"Independent witnesses have stated that Mr Clegg rode out in front and there was nothing the driver could do."

A spokesman for the Post Office said that the issue of providing cycle helmets to employees was constantly under review.