A POLICE force accidentally destroyed CCTV footage of a horror smash which killed a cyclist from Rossendale, an inquest heard.

Harry Wilmers, 25, of Rawtenstall, died after being hit by a lorry in Old Trafford, near Manchester, in August 2009.

He was the fiancé of Rebecca Stephenson, youngest daughter of London Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson.

The inquest, at Trafford magistrates’, was told footage from a pub’s CCTV system showed Mr Wilmers and the lorry passing through traffic lights in Talbot Road.

PC Nicholas Avery, an accident reconstruction officer for Greater Manchester Police, said the footage was used to create a reconstruction.

But it was not copied correctly and then destroyed before prosecutors had a chance to analyse it.

PC Avery said: “We’ve learned lessons from this. I take on board the criticisms and apologise.”

Former Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School pupil Mr Wilmers was taken to Manchester Royal Infirmary, but died from his injuries.

Lorry driver Wesley Lawrence was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, but was found not guilty after the Crown Prosecution Service offered no further evidence.

Coroner Joanne Kearsley recorded an accidental death verdict.

Mr Wilmers’ father, Peter Wilmers, director of Groundwork Rossendale, and Rebecca, are set to launch separate compensation claims against Mr Lawrence.

Speaking after the charges against Mr Lawrence were dropped, a CPS spokesman said: “As a result of further expert evidence that came to light as the trial approached, that charge was no longer sustainable.

"We have met with Mr Wilmers’ father and fiancée to explain our decision and the evidential problems that lay behind it.”