THE toll of deaths on the roads of North Yorkshire will be remembered this weekend during a service at Ripon Cathedral.

Every year, scores of people are killed and hundreds more injured on the county's roads.

Since last year's service, 70 people have been killed in accidents, one of them a child. Nearly 350 children have been injured, 46 of them seriously.

Leaders of each of the county's emergency services will be present, candles will be lit and prayers said for all those who lost their lives. Relatives are being encouraged to bring pictures of those who died.

Also taking part will be the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Reverend John Packer, North Yorkshire's Chief Constable Della Cannings and Conservative Euro-MP Robert Goodwill.

Superintendent David Short said he hoped the event would draw attention to the need to reduce the number of injuries suffered by children and young people.

"The Oak Leaf service provides an opportunity to emphasise the responsibility of all members of society in reducing road danger in order to reduce the carnage," he said.

"We are again supporting the service so we can offer our support to those who have been bereaved."

The Dean of Ripon, the Very Reverend John Methuen, said anyone injured or bereaved as a result of travel in Great Britain was welcome to take part.

The service, which begins at 3pm, will last for about an hour, and will be led by the Dean.

The Oak Leaf title stems from the paper oak leaves on which the names of each victim will be written before the service begins.