SLASHING the death toll of motorcyclists on Worcestershire's roads is the key aim behind a high profile police campaign to improve biking skills.

Statistics showed Worcestershire has seven of the worst 12 routes for bike accidents and that a total of 15 bikers died and 446 were injured across the West Mercia force area last year.

The Knights of the Road event, held at Eastnor Castle, near Ledbury, was used by police to launch Bikesafe, an initiative which allows a rider's bike-handling skills to be assessed.

Drawing on the comparison between knights in shining armour and bikers in leathers, the aim was to discredit the belief of some motorcyclists that their protective clothing and equipment somehow makes them "invincible".

Bikers aged between 25 and 45 riding high-powered sports bikes are most at risk of dying and Sgt John Roberts who co-ordinates Bikesafe said around 60 cyclists had signed up.

"Motorcyclists only account for one per cent of vehicles on the roads in our area but, last year, bikers and pillion passengers accounted for more than one in six of the people killed on our roads," said Sgt Roberts.

"The single biggest safety improvement people can make to their motorcycle is to improve their riding skills, which should match the power and handling of their machine."

Bikesafe West Mercia allows motorcyclists to accompany police advanced riders for two days of observation, tips and advice.

The force is also committed to targeting the 12 worst routes for motorcycle collisions in the five counties of the West Mercia area.

Biker taken to hospital after crash

A motorcyclist was taken to hospital by air ambulance with a fractured left leg after a crash this weekend.

The incident occurred near the Hampton Lovett Industrial Estate, on the A442 Kidderminster to Droitwich road, yesterday between 2pm and 3pm.

The 35-year-old man, from Birmingham, was taken to Worcestershire Royal Hospital.