CALLS have been made to improve safety on a road where a motorcyclist suffered fatal injuries.

David Frampton died after a crash in Blackburn Road, between Darwen and Egerton, earlier this year, an inquest heard.

Teaching assistant Mr Frampton, who had served in the RAF, had strayed across the double white lines as he went around the bend near Stones Bank Road and hit an oncoming Audi.

At an inquest at Blackburn Coroner's Court, coroner Michael Singleton ruled the Ramsbottom man's death was caused by head injuries sustained in the accident on August 20.

During the inquest, Anthony Hughes, an off-duty police officer, said he was driving behind the Audi when the accident happened.

When asked what he saw of the accident, he replied: "An explosion. I never saw the motorbike. I just became aware of a massive impact."

Mr Hughes, who lives near to where the accident happened, went on to say: "Stones Bank Road should be a one-way road at that junction.

"It could be made into a one-way system as anyone wishing to head up that way can simply take the next right further down.

"That bend is inherently dangerous and I have campaigned for road safety in that section for the 12 years I have lived there."

Mr Frampton's wife, Stella Smith, earlier told the inquest her husband was a regular biker who enjoyed going for a ride.

She said on the day of the accident they had just returned from three weeks away and he had wanted to go out.

The bike was relatively new and had only recently been serviced.

The driver of the Audi, James Bent, described how he had been driving in the direction of Darwen when Mr Frampton's Honda came round the corner.

He said: "As I was heading towards the bend I saw him on his motorbike and when I saw him he was on the double white lines.

"He then wobbled twice and then he hit my vehicle."

Mr Bent suffered minor injuries in the collision. He added: "The paramedics asked if I was okay and I pointed to Mr Frampton and said he was the first priority.

"A couple of minutes later they took me into the ambulance and they removed some big pieces of glass from my face."

Accident investigator PC Richard Harrison said he believed both Mr Frampton and Mr Bent were driving below the speed limit.

He said at the point of impact Mr Frampton was 1.4 metres into the right-hand lane, but he could not offer any explanation as to why.

He said the road surface had been deemed good after carrying out 'skid tests'.

After the inquest, Whitehall councillor David Foster backed the safety calls for Stones Bank Road.

He said: "In my view it would make it easier as that right turn, if people do not take care, can be dangerous.

"I go up there a lot as our daughter lives in Horwich and I am always mindful of traffic coming from behind and if I am not certain I go further and right at the next bit."