A 12-YEAR-OLD boy was killed crossing the busy 70mph Edenfield by-pass last night.

And today the distraught parents of Simon Laughland, pictured, appealed for youngsters not to use short cuts to cross the by-pass.

Lynne and Bob Laughland were unaware Simon and his 14-year-old brother Andrew had gone to Rawtenstall with a friend to visit his girlfriend.

Andrew and his friend had crossed to the centre of the road and when Simon crossed he was struck by a Vauxhall Astra car heading towards Rawtenstall. Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident at 7.15pm.

Lynne, of Hillside Road, Haslingden, said: "Andrew saw it all. He put his coat on him to keep him warm and he lay at the side of him.

"A passer-by gave him a mobile phone so he could contact us and tell us what happened and I would like to thank that man."

Bob said: "It is the worst part of motorway or by-pass I have ever driven on. Everyone comments on how dark it is, you just can't see. You struggle to see the road-markings until you reach the roundabout. The driver wouldn't have had a chance to see him." Simon attended Haslingden High School along with his brother and their friend.

Lynne said: "He was a loveable rogue. He just pushed his luck a little bit far, but that was Simon, that is what made him so loveable. They wouldn't have been allowed to go to Rawtenstall if I had known they were going there.

"I am just numb. I know he is dead, I have seen him but I can't really believe he is not coming back.

"I don't know what effect it is going to have on Andrew because they shared a bedroom. Last night he slept at his uncle's house."

Simon was a keen sportsman had been a member of BJJC Martial Arts club since he was four and was working towards his black belt. He was due to play for Rossendale Rugby Club tomorrow.

When Lynne was working for Jamesway Printers nine years' ago a colleague's daughter, six-year-old Christine Lynn Hanson, died while crossing the Haslingden by-pass near Grane Road.

Lynne said: "These are not places for adults to cross never mind children and I don't think you should be able to cross.

"There should be footbridges, there's no way of knowing if children would use them, but at least they would have an option."

Police have interviewed the driver of the car, a man in his 20s.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact 01706 215242.

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