Road accident blackspots in Lancashire will be highlighted as part of a campaign to help keep motorists and bikers safe over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Special signs from the national Think Bike! campaign will be placed at various notorious locations throughout Lancashire, which have seen several serious and fatal accidents in recent years.

Twenty-two bikers were killed on Lancashire roads last year.

The Bank Holiday weekend has been targeted for this safety campaign owing to the heavy traffic it brings, including a high proportion of motorcyclists.

The signs have been placed on known motorcycling routes where one or more motorcyclist has died or been seriously injured in the past four years.

The campaign urges car drivers to take care to look out for bikes and has been supported by hard-hitting television advertising.

Motorcyclists are being offered safety advice and the chance to test their riding skills in a simulator at the British Superbike Championships.

Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety says that despite only accounting for one per cent of road users, bikers account for 17 per cent of fatalities in the UK.

Linda Sanderson, communications manager for Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety, said: "We all look forward to the Bank Holiday weekend and for many of us our plans include travelling.

"The newly launched RideSafeBacksafe.co.uk website has been inundated by bikers from across the North West looking for up to date news and to take part in the interactive forum where riders can discuss everything from recommended cafes and best routes in the region, to riding techniques and hints and tips of how to keep bikes in the safest possible condition.

"We hope the Think Bike! signs will also help to remind everyone to be extra vigilant on the roads and arrive safely."