A MAN who caused the death of his best friend as they raced their cars along a residential street has escaped a prison sentence - after a plea from the dead man's family.

And Matthew Hannon's parents have explained their plea for leniency by saying he would not have wanted his friend to go to jail.

The 22-year-old BAE Systems employee was killed immediately when his blue Renault Clio clipped a bollard and hit a parked van after overtaking Hayhurst's car in Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, at 8.40pm on January 9.

Hayhurst, 23, of Sandy Lane, Darwen, was given a 12-month sentence suspended for two years because of the "most unusual" request from Matthew's family, judge Anthony Russell, QC, told Preston Crown Court.

Hayhurst - who rushed to his friend's silver Clio and held him until paramedics arrived - admitted the two had been driving on the 30mph road at 65mph and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to causing death by dangerous driving.

The court was told that Matthew, of St Philip's Street, Blackburn, and Hayhurst, a composite engineer at Brookhouse Composites, Darwen, had known each other since they were nine and would have blamed themselves rather than each other for the crash.

After the case, Matthew's mother, Anne said: "Our main concern was what Matthew would have wanted and Matthew would have wanted us to support Steven."

Hayhurst's mother, Jean, paid tribute to a "very special" family and said: "Steven will always live with what has happened. He will never get over it."

Matthew's father, Terry, called for young racers to stop putting the lives of themselves and others at risk.

He added: "Matthew would have been delighted we have supported Steve. The support we have given Steve has resulted in him getting a unique sentence.

"Hopefully, after the inquest, we can get some closure and we will have Steven with us to support us when we are having bad times."

Judge Russell said that under normal circumstances, Hayhurst would expect a minimum sentence of two years and eight months.

Yet he said: "In my judgement, to rigidly apply the guidelines would in the circumstances of the case be unjust. There is very real mitigation in this case."

He said Hayhurst had shown "very genuine remorse" and the actions of Matthew's family after the death had to be taken into account.

Hayhurst was banned from diving for four years and ordered to carry out 300 hours of unpaid community service.

The court was told that Matthew's family invited Hayhurst to be a pall bearer at Matthew's funeral, met every week with his family and presented him with a photograph of Matthew at a recent celebration of his life.

The Hannon family had come to regard Hayhurst as an "adopted son," the court was told.

Judge Russell said: "It is most unusual for a family of someone who had died to show such compassion towards the person whose criminal actions have contributed to the death of a much loved family member."

A letter submitted to the court by Hayhurst said: "Matthew was caring, thoughtful and a well sound mate and January 9 will stay with me forever. I relive it everyday."

Peter Turner, defending, told the court: "It is right to say if these two boys could have given their account of what had happened they would have both blamed themselves rather than blame one another."

The court was told the two were "exceptionally close" and had both agreed to buy Renault Clio cars.

Matthew, who has sisters aged 19 and 13, bought the car on Saturday January 7, two days before the crash.

He visited the house Hayhurst shared with his partner, Claire Pickthall, with his girlfriend, Nicola Lynch.

The court was told the four discussed future wedding plans and Matthew then took Hayhurst for a ride in his new car.

The couples then went to their separate cars to visit Hayhurst's mother.

Mr Turner said Matthew had miscalculated the distance to the bollard when he began to overtake, as the two were heading towards Preston Old Road.