SPEED restrictions could be introduced on a rural road where a 22-year-old Leigh man crashed a high powered sports car, killing his best friend.

Bolton Council and the police are in discussions about how the road can be made safer.

Richard Bourke, of Leigh, was jailed for four-and-a-half-years on Friday for causing the death by dangerous driving of 20-year-old Lee Davies.

A council spokesman said: "We are looking at any road safety improvements that can be introduced on Bradshaw Road as a whole and are holding talks with the police."

Bolton Crown Court heard Bourke was driving a 3-litre Renault Clio at about 80mph along Bradshaw Road towards Tottington when he collided with a Citroen van travelling in the opposite direction. Bourke's passenger Greg Williams, of Watling Street, Bury, died later in hospital.

Van driver Lee Davies, aged 38, of Haslingden, suffered serious head injuries in the accident in April and is unlikely to make a full recovery.

There are 30mph and 60mph speed restrictions in place on different stretches of Bradshaw Road which has a number of sharp bends along it.

Cllr Paul Brierley said: "I would support anything which reduces the speed of vehicles along Bradshaw Road and cuts the risk of any more fatalities.

"I have seen for myself drivers travelling at speeds of up to 70mph and I think a speed camera is the answer."

Sgt Barry Fairclough from Bolton Traffic Unit added: "If people drive round bends at very high speed, accidents are inevitable.

"There are a number of sharp bends on Bradshaw Road and it has been the scene of many accidents including two fatalities in the last 14 months.

"The police would support anything which encourages motorists to kill their speed, not other people."

Bradshaw Road has been the scene of a number of minor and serious accidents over recent years.

Andrew James Whitby, aged 18, of Skipton Close, Bury, died in October last year after he was thrown 20 feet from a car as it catapulted into the air and landed on its roof.

The teenager was a back seat passenger in a Peugeot 106 GTi, which was being driven by a friend.

He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital where he died from his injuries.