VEHICLES which provide a service to the public such as coaches and taxis should not be allowed to use tyres that are more than 10 years old, according to Lancashire County Council.

Councillors unanimously supported a notice of motion proposed by County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, at a meeting of the full council.

He said: “I was fortunate enough to meet Frances Molloy, whose son Michael was killed when a 19-year old tyre blew out on the coach he was travelling on to get home from a music festival.

"When she began to tell me what had happened I suddenly remembered the incident – three people were killed, and it was one of those tragedies that sticks in the mind because the reason it happened was so wrong and easily preventable.

"Although the tyre was so old, it was not illegal as there is no legislation in the UK which gives an age limit to any tyres on vehicles.”

County Councillor Fillis will now write to the minister for transport making recommendations to make sure older tyres are not allowed to be used on vehicles like coaches.