BURNLEY council has re-opened a skate park following a fatal accident earlier this year.

The skate park in Piccadilly Gardens was closed in March following the death of 15-year-old James Hadfield, and a full investigation was undertaken.

James, 15, of Carlton Road, Burnley, died after an accident that left him with a crushed chest and skull. He died from his injuries in Burnley General Hospital.

His parents revealed their son refused to wear a helmet because he claimed it wasn't fashionable.

Stepmum Melanie and dad James said they hoped the tragedy would act as a warning to other cyclists.

A spokesman for Burnley Council said: "The re-opened site includes a number of improvements, including the installation of fencing around the skate park and better signage. The skate ramps have also been repainted."

Following the accident, Labour backbench MP Eric Martlew introduced a Private Member's Bill to the House of Commons to make wearing cycle helmets law for under-16s.

Despite using James's death as an example of the need for a change in the law, his proposal was defeated.

Mr Martlew spearheaded the campaign for tougher safety laws after narrowly cheating death himself when he suffered head injuries in a road accident as a youngster.

The Royal Association for the Prevention of Accidents advises anyone using skate parks, whether on a bike, skate board or scooter, to wear protective clothing.

Burnley council has also used Elevate funding to make other improvements to the park not related to the accident.

They included the installation of new goal posts and fencing to the ball games area and the replacement of old playground equipment and repainting of railings.