The heartbroken mother of Anthony Bentley, who died with his girlfriend in a three-on-a-bike smash, has appealed to youngsters to learn from the tragedy.

Anthony, 18, of Mayfield Terrace, Cleckheaton, and Natalie Athey, 15, of Leyburn Avenue, Heckmondwike, died at the accident scene.

They and their friend Daniel Booth, 14, were all riding the same bike when it crashed.

All three were flung from the machine when it struck the kerb in Hunsworth Lane, Hunsworth, near Cleckheaton, at 7.40pm on Friday.

Daniel, of Langdale Avenue, Wyke, was taken to Dewsbury District Hospital with serious head injuries. He was transferred to Leeds General Infirmary where his condition was last night said to be stable.

Only one crash helmet was found at the scene and police are investigating who, if anyone, was wearing it.

They also want to know who was at the controls of the black 125cc Dajiang trials bike when it crashed. Inspector Adrian Lyles, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "On the arrival of the emergency services none of the three were found to be wearing protective headgear."

The bike was travelling towards Cleckheaton when it crashed.

Minutes before the accident police were alerted to bikes being driven erratically near Spenborough baths on the main A638 Bradford Road, between Cleckheaton and Liversedge. The riders were said to be weaving between vehicles.

Police were then told that three people had fallen from one machine and were seriously hurt.

Devastated family and friends of the popular teenagers left floral tributes at the crash scene.

Anthony's mother Denise Fox said her son was a fun-loving lad who touched many hearts. His brother Steven, 22, and sister Lea, 15, were grief-stricken.

Anthony, a former pupil at Whitcliffe Mount College, Cleckheaton, hoped to join the Army.

Miss Fox said that her son, known affectionately as "Little Foxie", and Natalie, a pupil at Whitcliffe Mount, were devoted to one another.

"Anthony was a lovely lad. He is missed so much. Everyone is totally shocked. Nobody wants to believe it. I knew he was popular but I didn't realise just how much he was loved," she said.

Anthony loved animals and owned a Staffordshire Bull Terrier called Rizzla.

He was a regular at the nearby Rose and Crown where he enjoyed a game of snooker. Miss Fox said that Anthony borrowed the bike from a friend because he needed it to do another mate a favour.

"He rode it the other day and I asked him to make sure he strapped his helmet up. I was worried about him on bikes, but what can you do?" she said.

Miss Fox said many people had ridden bikes "three-up" as youngsters but the tragedy had brought home an important safety message: "Don't fool about on bikes".

She believes Anthony was driving the bike, with Natalie just behind him and Daniel on the back when it crashed.

Friends wept as they paid tribute to the teenagers at the crash scene, near the Riverside Drive junction.

Nicola Davison, 24, of Butts Hill, Gomersal, brought flowers in memory of Anthony.

"He was a lovely lad. I got a phone call at 2am to tell me what had happened. He was always on his bike. I am devastated," she said.

Her partner Chris Jackson knew Anthony all his life. "He always had a smile on his face. He was a very popular lad," he said.

Beck Smithson, 14, of Links Avenue, Hunsworth, said: "I knew all three of them. I am shocked and devastated. They were all lovely people. Natalie was so full of life. They had everything going for them."

His mother Sandra added: "They were well liked and had lots of friends. They were part of a big group and were forever in each other's houses. They had everything to live for. It is just so cruel."

Inspector Lawrence Bone, of Dewsbury Police, said there was a general problem in the area with youths riding dangerously and causing a nuisance.

Cleckheaton councillor Ann Raistrick said: "It is a tragedy, and what a waste, that is the great sadness of it. A lot of young people in the town are very upset and, obviously, the families will be devastated. Our hearts go out to everyone."

Coun Raistrick said there had been problems in Cleckheaton with young people on bikes. "Will it take a really serious tragedy like this to get the message home to the few involved?" she said.

An inquest into the deaths is expected to open on Wednesday in Huddersfield.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident to contact them on (01924) 206346.

e-mail: jenny.loweth @bradford.newsquest.co.uk