POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a fatal car accident in which a promising motor cycle trails rider died when his Peugeot car hit a lamp-post and burst into flames.

Chris Carter, 20, of Tranmere Park, Guiseley, was trapped in the burning vehicle and died at the scene. A 20-year-old passenger escaped with minor injuries.

They were travelling in a black Peugeot 309 near Trinity and All Saints College on Brownberrie Lane in Horsforth when the incident happened last Thursday at 10.55pm. The impact ripped the lamp post from its base and

carried it several yards down the road.

Officers at Rawdon Fire Station are conducting an investigation and trying to discover why the car burst into flames.

His parents have spoken about how his death has shattered their lives.

The couple said the tributes to their son that have been pouring in from friends and members of the trials community are helping them through their grief.

His mother, Margaret Carter said: "We're just feeling totally shattered. Chris was a wonderful son. He'd always been keen on riding and motorcycle trials were his whole life. We're not sure about exactly what happened yet but it sounds like it was just a very, very tragic accident."

Mrs Carter said Chris and a friend had been returning from an evening out in Horsforth. She said her son had been driving his black Peugeot 309, his "pride and joy".

The passenger has been left "extremely traumatised" by the accident.

Chris's father, Brian, said:"It's just an absolute waste of a life. He was a likeable lad and very sociable.

"We've been overwhelmed by the support we've been getting from people and that's really helping us.

"The telephone hasn't stopped ringing with people saying what a credit he was to us, which is nice. Chris had everything going for him and will be greatly missed by us and the trials community in general."

Following a funeral service at Guiseley's St Oswald's Parish Church tomorrow at 11.30am (family flowers only, donations to Macmillan Nurses), Chris will be buried in woodland at Dob Park.

His father said: "He's going to be buried on a piece of land we own - we want to know where he is and having this land we're in a position to do this.

"It is a very beautiful area and the park is a very special place for all of us. He rode there, practiced there, and helped me out with forestrey - it was like Chris's own back garden and I'm sure he'd be delighted about this.

"We'll be planting an oak tree to mark the grave and it will be at a private but accessible spot, away from where the competitions are held."

Chris, elder of the two trials riding brothers, was a talented competitor in northern trial from the age of seven and won numerous competitions in the region's youth contests, before rising into the adult grades where he won the Yorkshire Centre ACU 1999 Novice crown.

This year, as an expert grade rider, his talents developed even faster and his result had put him riding on the crest of a wave.

With brother Andrew, 17, they were a cheerful happy team, always on the bright side, ready to help opponents in events, and taking an active part in laying out trials for Yeadon and Guiseley Motor Club.

Chris had been a member of the club since he was seven, and had won a succession of championships, becoming a Yorkshire Centre expert grade rider.

Wharfedale Newspapers' Motor-sport correspondent, Barry Robinson said: " I have known Chris and Andrew right from the first day that they became members of Yeadon and Guiseley Motor Club.

"Chris was a model for other aspiring trials riders, well mannered, polite, always well turned out, and without doubt owned the most polished and prepared trials machine in Yorkshire, maybe the British Isles.

"Even when the chips were down and the results were just not happening he was ready for any questions and responded with sensible answers, many would just ignore the questioner and ride on."

He was a former pupil at Bronte House and Woodhouse Grove schools at Apperley Bridge. He moved to Guiseley School at 14 and had been working as an apprentice for Meggs plumbers in Baildon, since leaving the school three years ago.

Motor Club president Mike Hinch said: "I'd known Chris since he was a baby and saw him come up through the club's junior ranks to become a very good rider and a fine young man."

Chris's boss, Alan Meggs, said: "He was a genuinely nice lad and this is an absolute disaster for everyone."

Anyone with information about the accident can ring Weetwood Police on (0113) 2413447.