THE carnage of a motorcycle crash will be laid bare before bikers when they are given the chance to see the gruesome results.

Watermelons will be used in a dramatic reconstruction of a high-impact smash at Squires Milk Bar, at Sherburn-in-Elmet, on Wednesday, October 22.

The event, organised by North Yorkshire County Council, will see watermelons dropped from various heights to simulate what happens when high-speed crashes occur on the roads.

It forms part of the county council's response to a year which has seen a record number of motorcycle deaths on the county's roads.

So far, 28 bikers have lost their lives in North Yorkshire - the worst number of deaths since records began to be compiled a decade ago.

Andrew Santon, area road safety officer for North Yorkshire County Council, has organised the event with support from the fire and rescue service, North Yorkshire Police and the Co-op at Sherburn-in-Elmet which is donating the melons. It will take place at 6pm.

Peter Sowray, the county council's executive member for environmental services, said: "As the highways authority for North Yorkshire we are particularly concerned about the rise in deaths of motorcyclists.

"Many more have been injured on the county's roads this summer and we are supporting a number of initiatives to try and reduce these kind of accidents."

Squires is a popular meeting point for bikers with thousands turning out on weekends during the busy summer riding season.

Jason Weston, of Squires Milk Bar, said: "I think this will be good for all of us and will help to make people aware of what can happen in these circumstances. We think it will have an effect on bikers."

Last month, road safety chiefs at the county council used watermelons to show passers-by the horrific head injuries that could be caused in road accidents to motorists and passengers who did not wear seatbelts.

The authority held an event in Selby's Market Cross area to show all motorists the sort of damage that can occur even in fairly low speed collisions. The melons were dropped using a 100ft-high turntable ladder.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said the force applauded such initiatives and hoped they had the desired effect of reducing motorcycle casualties."

Updated: 10:55 Tuesday, October 14, 2003