ACCIDENT figures on a notorious stretch of the twisting A61, between Ripon and Harrogate, have increased slightly despite a series of safety measures, say North Yorkshire highway chiefs.

There have been 144 casualties in the past five years on the road between Ripley and an accident blackspot known as Daffodil Bends, just north of Ripon.

Safety measures have seen fatal and serious casualties reduce from eight to five a year.

However, the overall number of accidents has increased because of a rise in the number of slight accidents.