MOTORCYCLISTS will be reminded that better riding skills can save their lives in a hard-hitting exhibition at Helmsley this weekend.

Organisers of the event in the market place on Sunday are making a determined effort to attract the attention of sports bikers by including a giant inflatable rider, 24ft-long, as well as a machine which has been involved in a crash.

Highly trained police motorcyclists will be offering tips and advice on handling high performance machines at the display, part of the ''handle it or lose it'' campaign being promoted jointly by the Hambleton and Ryedale community safety partnerships.

So far this year, 22 motorcyclists have died in North Yorkshire, three of the casualties being in the Hambleton and Ryedale districts.

The winding road between Stokesley and Helmsley is a favourite route for riders of powerful motorcycles and in some places traffic calming measures have had to be introduced in an attempt to cut speeds.

The latest safety campaign, which started in North Yorkshire, is being directed at the 35 and over age group who ride sports machines. A web site, www.handleitorloseit.com offers advice on popular routes, highlighting hazardous bends and dangerous hot spots.

Statistics show that 65pc of rural motorcycling casualties are down to the rider losing control, with no other vehicle involved.

Chris Fields, Hambleton community safety manager, said of the Helmsley exhibition: ''We want to save lives and that is why we are reaching out to bikers in a new way, offering tips and advice easily put into practice.''

The exhibition is supported by the police, paramedics and fire and rescue officers.