AN 11-year-old girl braved the media yesterday and told them: "My daddy was killed riding home on his motorbike."

Rachel Stead spoke of her loss in a bid to prevent further carnage on the road.

Sixteen motorcyclists have been killed in North Yorkshire this year alone bringing to 103 the death toll in Britain's largest county since the beginning of the recent biker boom in 1996.

Paul Stead, 36, of York, died when his Kawasaki Ninja was in collision with a VW Polo on the A64 at Stockton on Forest in April.

"He loved riding his motorbike but also loved coming home," said Rachel who was lending her support at the launch of a new campaign, Enough is Enough, the latest bid to reduce biker deaths.

"I've always known he was a good rider because he used to take me for rides and I always felt safe. There were countless times when dad would have to take evasive action because of inconsiderate car drivers.

"He would often complain to mum that car drivers never looked out for bikers. It really hurts to lose someone special so please stop and think."

North Yorkshire's 6,000 miles of roads are a honeypot for motorcyclists because of their blend of stunning scenery, twists and turns. But this has resulted in one of the grimmest accident records in the country.

Police have tried repeatedly to educate riders and have cracked down on a hard core who ignore advice.

Now they are turning to bikers' families for help. Deputy Chief Constable Peter Walker said: "We are appealing to husbands, wives sons and daughters, to mothers and fathers.

"If your loved ones are taking to the roads on a motorcycle, urge them to take care."