ANOTHER biker died on North Yorkshire's roads over the weekend, taking the death toll one higher than the whole of last year.

Twenty-four motorcyclists have died in the county in 2003 compared with 23 throughout 2002 - despite concerted police attempts to keep the numbers down.

High-profile patrols, a clamp-down on speeding and illegal modifications, an educational video and even an exhibition of the wreckage from accidents have all been put in place over the past 12 months.

However, nearly 50 people have now lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in North Yorkshire over the past 21 months and 159 since 1994.

Police traffic patrols have admitted they now dread sunny weekends as a fatality has become almost inevitable. A North Yorkshire County Council meeting was also due to discuss a report on the issue last night.

Yesterday, police confirmed 32-year-old Martin McLoughlin, of Cyclamen Grove in Darlington was the latest casualty.

He was leading a group of five bikers along the B6270 between Reeth and Richmond when his machine left the road a mile from the junction with the A6108 at around 3pm on Saturday.

The circumstance of the accident are still being investigated and police have appealed for witnesses who may remember seeing the group around the time of the accident to come forward.

Anyone who can help with the inquiry is asked to telephone PC David Shotton on (01609) 789334.

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Ron Johnson said: "If 25 people died in one incident in North Yorkshire it would be described as a disaster.

"The fact so many have lost their lives this year is still just that; 24 families are still mourning the loss of a loved one, despite our attempts to reduce the death toll through a mix of enforcement and education.

"Sadly, there will be no improvement until both motorcyclists and car drivers take some responsibility.

"We are not anti-biker or anti-motorist; we are simply anti-accident and we can only appeal to people to be aware of the risks on the roads.''