A 66-YEAR-OLD disabled man, who died after his electric wheelchair was involved in a collision with a coach, had already inspired a campaign for road safety improvements around the community where he lived.

Robert Rickaby, known as Bob to friends in Catterick, suffered multiple injuries in the accident last Monday while he was travelling along a minor road between Catterick and Tunstall.

He was taken to the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, but died the next day.

A funeral service for Mr Rickaby, a former shopkeeper and enthusiastic member of the village amateur dramatic society, will take place on Wednesday at 9.30am in St Anne's Church, Catterick Village, followed by cremation at Darlington Crematorium.

He leaves a wife, Joan, a daughter, Glenys, and three grandchildren.

Family members were too distressed to talk about the accident but parish and district councillor Tony Pelton confirmed Mr Rickaby's regular trips into the countryside around his home had prompted concern in Catterick about access for the disabled.

He said: "People who use wheelchairs do find themselves restricted. Some of the roads around the area are hazardous and, where there are no pavements or dropped kerbs, wheelchair-users are forced to take to the roads."

Catterick Community Investment Partnership spokeswoman Melva Steckles confirmed that the Richmondshire Disability Action Group had only just visited the village to assess the risks to wheelchair-users.

She said: "It was seeing Bob and others in electric wheelchairs which gave us the idea of a campaign to improve access for the disabled."

An inquest into Mr Rickaby's death was adjourned last week.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said:"If there is anything which can be learned from this tragedy, the authority would be willing to look at any possible safety measures which may arise."