A MOTORCYCLIST who was impaled on a barbed wire fence after an accident is appealing for help in tracing the driver who "forced him of the road."

Systems analyst Jason Catterall, 33, of Delphinium Way, Lower Darwen, was travelling to work at around 7.30am when a car sped past him in Preston Road, just outside Ribchester.

He said the car was going so fast as it over took him that he was forced off the road and landed stomach-first on a barb wire fence.

He was taken to the Royal Blackburn Hospital where he was kept in overnight and treated for bruising to his abdomen.

Police confirmed they were looking in to Monday's incident and were asking for witnesses to come forward.

And Mr Catterall said his badly damaged Yamaha Aerox scooter would remain in the garage for good because he had now bought himself a Ford Fiesta for future journeys to work.

He said: "I had my full leathers on at the time and I was glad I did because it could have been a lot worse, I'm very lucky.

"My chest and arms are bruised and very sore after it.

"A car went past me and I was doing 45mph at the time.

"It just left me with no room on the road and had to swerve which forced me in to the fence.

"I bought the bike because the insurance and running costs were lower but now I've got the car, it's just not worth the hassle any more."

A woman living across from the site of the crash came out and helped Mr Catterall along with a car driver who was following him at the time.

Mr Catterall, who has had the scooter for four years, was on his way to work at AJ Wood Plant Ltd, Cumeragh Lane, Whittingham.

And wife Candida Catterall, 34, was incensed by the actions of the driver who has not been traced by police.

She said: "We got the bike in an attempt to be more environmentally friendly but when things like this happen you wonder whether it was worth it."

A police spokesman said: "The motorcyclist said he was forced off the road as he was overtaken by a vehicle but when we arrived at the scene he said he could not remember what make it was. We are investigating the incident and are appealling for any witnesses to come forward."

Anyone with information should ring 08451 253545 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 .