A WARNING that child cyclists should wear helmets was given by a coroner at an inquest into the tragic death of seven-year-old Adam Lee Jackson.

Adam suffered head injuries when he rode his machine from the pavement between parked cars into Thompson Street, Padiham, into the path of a car.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith said that from the evidence it didn't seem there was much that the driver Kevin Hitchen of Herbert Street, Padiham, could have done about it.

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Smith said perhaps there should be a warning that children on bikes should wear helmets.

"Had he been wearing a helmet the injuries may not have been so serious. When I was young you never thought of wearing a helmet but today there is so much traffic about cyclists and horse riders are not safe without a helmet." Adam, who lived in Waddington Road, Burnley, with his mum, Diane, was visiting his father Michael Green in Padiham when he was involved in the accident on Sunday, August 20.

Mary Prescott of Thompson Street said she saw him ride out from the pavement into the road from between parked cars. She then heard a bang and people screaming.

Megan Mason of Barry Street, Burnley, said she was following a maroon car along Thompson Street. Both were travelling at about 25mph.

"I saw the boy come out on a bike and immediately the car hit him. The driver didn't have time to brake or anything. It was unfortunate timing."

Andrea Crawford, of Stonyhurst Close, Padiham, said she was sitting in a parked car when a young boy walked his bike between her car and the one in front. "He stopped for two seconds before cycling straight out. He didn't look," she said.

Accident investigator PC Timothy Hogan said there were no mechanical details of the car or bike.

His conclusion was that there was little the driver could have done to avoid the impact. There was no suggestion of excessive speed.

After the accident Padiham residents launched a petition demanding traffic calming measures saying they wanted their memorial to the tragic youngster to be in the form of a safer town.