A CORONER pleaded with bikers to slow down after the inquest into the death of a 31-year-old motorcyclist.

The hearing at the Town Hall in Richmond last week, was told speed was almost certainly a factor in the death of Mark Lofthouse of Leyburn, whose Suzuki machine collided with a tractor and trailer on the A684 on March 30 this year.

Coroner Geoff Fell conceded that Mr Lofthouse knew the road through Wensleydale well, but said: "I cannot change Yorkshire's landscape and nor would I want to.

"What I would like to change is the speed of some of the motorcyclists who use the county's roads.

"I would ask them to please slow down."

Drivers overtaken by Mr Lofthouse shortly before the accident gave evidence that he was riding quickly, but with apparent confidence.

Accident investigator PC Paul Davenport said after negotiating a blind bend just outside Worton, Mr Lofthouse met a tractor towing a muck-spreader blocking both carriageways.

He told the coroner if Mr Lofthouse had been riding within the speed limit, he would probably have had time to stop before a collision occurred.

Mr Fell recorded a verdict of accidental death.