YOUNG drivers are putting lives at risk by racing each other through residential areas at speeds in excess of 70mph, police have revealed.

And a father whose son died while racing a friend has spoken out in a bid to deter others and said: "We don't want anyone else to go through what we have".

Police have said that racing has become a "worrying" craze across East Lancashire with young drivers often modifying their cars to provide extra horsepower.

Anne and Terry Hannon lost their son Michael, 22, when his Renault Clio ploughed in to a wall in Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, in January last year.

Matthew died in the arms of childhood pal Steven Hayhurst who he was racing Mr Hannon said: "These young drivers are going at ridiculous speeds.

"I would love these people to have been able to follow our family round for the last 18 months.

"It just changes everything. I would have liked these people to have seen my younger daughter crying at her brother's grave last week on the anniversary of his birthday. It was heartbreaking."

The craze has been described as further evidence of the need for the changes proposed by the Lancashire Telegraph's Wasted Lives campaign.

One of the main aims of Wasted Lives is to reduce the carnage among 17 to 25-year-old drivers through increased education and tighter legislation.

The number of people under 25 killed on our roads is rising every year. Last year, 22 motorists in this age group lost their lives in horrific car accidents in the county.

Matthew Hannon went to overtake his friend as they sped along Livesey Branch Road but misjudged it and clipped a bollard.

Police estimated Matthew, of St Philip's Road, was driving at 60mph in a 30mph zone when it careered into a parked BT van and catapulted into a wall before resting in a house driveway 40ft away from the initial impact.

Mr Hannon said: "It only takes an instant. A moment of madness and it destroys everything.

"It's not big and it's not clever. These young lads need to be aware of the consequences."

He said that parents needed to "wise-up" and get better informed.

Mr Hannon said: "It's up to them to look for the tell tale signs.

"I remember Matthew saying to me dad I've had my car chipped' and I remember thinking good on you lad, thinking it was for safety reasons in case somebody stole his car.

"I had no idea it was upgrading the engine to make it go faster.

"There are others things to look out for such as sat navs which have speed detectors.

"They are using them to avoid speed cameras so they can race and speed in areas where there are none.

"Losing Matthew has left a big void that will never be filled. We don't want any other family to have to go through what we have."

Statistics show that while one in eight motorists are under the age of 25, one in four deaths on the road involve this age group.

Male drivers aged between 17 and 20 are also almost ten times more likely to be killed or seriously injured than experienced drivers.

There is also a higher incidence of fatality amongst this group when driving at night and when there is more than one passenger in the car.

Sergeant Mick Young, from Lancashire police, said: "We recognise there is a problem with young people speeding in some of the neighbourhoods and we are working to reduce this.

"The safety of both road users and residents is a key priority for the police and we continue to work closely with organisations such as the Lancashire Partnership for Road Safety to reduce the number of death and injuries on our roads.

"Young drivers are particularly vulnerable because of their inexperience, lack of road sense and under-developed hazard perception and education is crucial in order to encourage drivers to change their attitudes and behaviour towards road safety.

"My message to young drivers is to think twice before speeding or driving dangerously. Not only are you putting your life at risk but you are risking the lives of your passengers and other road users."