POLICE have launched a nationwide hunt for a trucker who mowed down an East Lancashire scooter rider - and left him lying on a motorway to die.

Tragic Ron Cobbledick of Burnley Road East, Waterfoot, was hit by four other lorries and a van while the trucker carried on with his journey - only stopping to pull Ron's smashed bike from under his lorry.

Police weren't alerted until 30 minutes later when two motorcyclists saw his scooter beside the M40 in Warwickshire and started hunting for its rider.

By the time they arrived police said Ron's body was beyond recognition.

Ron, who was married to Audrey and was a step-dad of five, was on his weekly Monday morning trip to London when he was killed near Tamworth in Arden on the M40.

He had started commuting to London every week from Waterfoot when the shoe firm he worked for was relocated.

Ron, 43, stayed in lodgings in Slough during the week and drove home on Fridays.

He usually went by motorbike, but on October 30 when the accident happened, that was being repaired and he went on his standby scooter.

Police believe the trucker was driving a Volvo FL7 or FL10 artic with a red and blue cab and white box-type container on the back.

Anyone with information is asked to call the police hotline on 01926 415257.