An unqualified motorcyclist died after he lost control of his high-powered machine and smashed into a lorry, an inquest heard.

Andrew Bleazard, 25, was pronounced dead at the scene at Knotts Ford Nook, near Otley.

Leeds Coroner's Court heard yesterday how builder Mr Bleazard, of Midgeley Road, Baildon, had a provisional licence to ride his CBR 600 Honda motorbike.

He had failed an exam to gain a licence days before the collision on a bend on the A659 between Otley and Pool-in-Wharfedale last May 20.

A post mortem examination showed Mr Bleazard died of multiple injuries.

The inquest was told Mr Bleazard had set off from Baildon with three friends, all on their motorcycles, to ride to Sherburn-in-Elmet. It was one of Mr Bleazard's first trips after buying the machine. Witnesses told how the other three motorcyclists overtook an Audi A3 travelling towards Pool-in-Wharfedale. David Thompson, who had been driving behind the lorry towards Otley, saw Mr Bleazard try to overtake the car on a corner.

In evidence read out to the inquest Mr Thompson, of Otley, said: "The rider seemed to lose control of the machine. The motorcycle drifted across into the other lane and then was in front of the Safeway goods vehicle. The motorcycle disappeared in front of the vehicle and I knew what was going to happen and that there was going to be a collision."

The lorry driver, Stuart Harper, said he had seen Mr Bleazard come off the motorcycle and "bump along the road" before he and the bike hit the lorry.

Police accident investigator PC Mark Lingard said the front of the lorry had been damaged from the impact and tests had shown the lorry was travelling at 35mph.

He said the motorcycle's instruments had been damaged and an accurate speed could not be recorded but he said he believed Mr Bleazard was travelling at "high speed".

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner David Hinchliff said Mr Bleazard was a "relatively inexperienced motorcyclist".

"Strictly speaking he should not have been riding a motorcycle of that capacity," said Mr Hinchliff.

"But he wanted to get out with his friends. It would appear this was an error of judgment by a man who had only just started using a motorcycle."

Mr Hinchliff added no blame could be attached to the driver of the lorry.

After the inquest, Mr Bleazard's mother, Linda, said her son's memory would always live on and the family thought about him every day. Mrs Bleazard, who did not attend the hearing, said it had been difficult to move on after her son's death.