AN EAST Lancashire police officer has launched a biker safety campaign in memory of his father.

Insp Dave Mangan, who is in charge of road policing in East Division, wants to raise awareness of the dangers of riding while tired, after his dad, Mike, was killed in a bike crash.

The 72-year-old was riding in Somerset when he was involved in a collision with an oncoming vehicle while overtaking.

Mike, a retired electrical engineer and experienced motorcyclist, was on the last 10 miles of a 320-mile journey and his family believes that tiredness was a contributory factor.

Insp Mangan, 43, who lives in Turton and was with his dad at the time of the fatal crash, said he now wanted to use his position to offer advice on staying safe while riding.

He said: “I hope my dad would be really pleased that he has this legacy of road safety in his name. He was an advanced motorcyclist and he was very much for improving road safety and increasing skills. As a police officer, biker and somebody who has witnessed this awful incident, I am ideally placed to spread this message.

“I have to find something positive to come out of such a horrendous incident. We have decided to use this tragic incident to help educate other riders. If it reminds just one biker of the dangers faced by riding while tired, then it will be a success.”‘Mike’s last ride’ tells the story of the day of the fatal collision and a video is available to watch on YouTube. Insp Mangan, who was also a geographic inspector in Accrington and Blackburn, will be joined by friends and colleagues as he leads a ride to Land’s End, stopping for a minute’s silence where his father was killed, to promote the campaign.Residents can keep up to date with their progress on Twitter and Facebook.

Officers from Lancashire Constabulary will also be going to bike meets across the county. For more information, visit www.lancashire.police.uk/ mikeslastride