A YOUNG motor cyclist has died from head injuries after his bike smashed into a wall as he travelled home from a leisure centre.

Stephen David Harrison, of George Street, Clitheroe died after suffering multiple head injuries in the smash in Clitheroe last night.

The crash follows a series of serious motorbike accidents on East Lancashire's roads over the last 18 months.

And police are planning to launch a major safety campaign next week in a bid to cut down on the number of motorbike crashes in the county. The accident took place shortly after 9pm, in Edisford Road, close to Roefield Leisure Centre.

The 26-year-old who was travelling on a Suzuki GSX600 motorbike had just left the leisure centre when he was involved in the accident.

He worked at AJA Smith Transport, of Upbrooks, Clitheroe, where staff were too upset to talk about the accident today.

Police said Mr Harrison was trying to overtake a car when lost control of his bike and collided with a wall at the side of the road.

The biker was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary but had died by the time he arrived at the hospital.

Police closed the road for over three hours while investigations were carried out at the scene. Mr Harrison's relatives have been informed of the death. A spokesman for Lancashire police said: "Unfortunately there have been a number of fatal accidents in Lancashire involving motor bikes.

"Sadly this latest tragic incident highlights the problem and we are planning to launch our Bikesafe 2000 campaign next week."

The initiative will be unveiled on Thursday, March 4 at police headquarters. A range of experts including emergency workers and psychologists will be on hand to give safety advice and counselling at an all day seminar.

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