POLICE chiefs have pleaded with motorcyclists to take care over the bank holiday weekend amid fears the number of accidents could rocket.

Inspector Stuart Coates, force incident manager at Lancashire Police, made the appeal following a serious accident in Leyland on Thursday afternoon which left a teenager seriously ill in hospital.

Darren Ross, 17, of Robin Hey, Leyland, was riding his Yamaha 125cc motorbike when it collided with a Suzuki Bandit 600cc motorbike ridden by Stephen Cornes, of Townsway, Lostock Hall.

The accident occurred in Schleswig Way, Leyland -- also known as the Leyland bypass.

Mr Ross, who is believed to have overtaken a car before colliding with Mr Cornes' bike.

Mr Ross sustained serious head injuries and is a critical condition at the Royal Preston Hospital.

Insp Coates said: "We fear that this will not be the last accident on the roads involving a motorbike over the Easter weekend.

"We would urge people going out on their motorbikes over the long bank holiday weekend to take extra care when riding. "We would like to keep accident numbers down and hope motorcyclists heed this warning."

The accident comes just a fortnight after Lancashire Police launched a crackdown on motorcyclists.

Riders spotted driving in a dangerous manner will be pulled over and offered tuition to improve their skills.

Tutors will then ride with them until they feel happy that they are driving safely.

Bank holidays often result in impromptu motorcycle rallies across the county, including Devil's Bridge in Kirkby Lonsdale and Hebden Bridge.

Insp Coates added: "Bank holidays do result in more accidents but hopefully people will heed our advice in time this year."

Police are continuing to investigate the cause of Thursday's crash.