A TEENAGE motorbike racer from Blackburn died after crashing into a wall at the end of a seafront time trial.

Steven Anderton, 16, suffered fatal head injuries and multiple fractures in the accident as his father, Trevor, and hundreds of spectators looked on.

Steven, of Sandon Street, a student at Witton Park High School, appeared to lose control of his bike before hitting the wall and two stewards at 11am yesterday. .

Bikes as powerful as 1100cc race against the clock over a quarter-of-a-mile in the annual time trial.

The event, at Lower Walk, Little Bispham, between Cleveleys and Blackpool, is organised by the Fleetwood and District Motorcycle Club. It was immediately suspended as a police investigation began.

One witness said: "He just crossed the finish line and kept going in a straight line. There was no explanation. He just lost control and collided with the wall, it was horrible. There were police helicopters and a private ambulance within minutes. His dad was ushered away."

Former Blackburn motorbike racer Tony Shaw said: "It's on the front along part of the promenade. The wall is right there if anything goes wrong.

"You are only going in a straight line but like any motorbike racing, it has it's risks. The race has been going for years."

Steven took the title of youngest competitor at the Hoghton Tower Silver Sprint event in April when he raced a 1989 Honda 125cc bike in the modern solo category.

Motorcyclist Philip Cronshaw, of Blackburn, whose 17-year-old son Lance races on the short-track circuit, said the biking community was tight knit.

He added: "Our hearts go out to his family.

"Everyone has been thinking of him. It is a sobering thought."

Paramedic Mick Naylor was on scene, backed up with a second ambulance crew.

He said: "Unfortunately there was very little we could do.

"He suffered multiple head injuries and fractures."

The event organisers declined to comment.

A police spokesman said: "Two stewards were injured but it is not thought that they were seriously hurt."