Hereford'S biking bishop will be launching the county's advanced rider-training scheme (He.A.R.T.S.) on April 22.

TT racer Kenny Howells will join the Rt Rev. John Oliver at the spring 2001 show, at the city's ambulance station, which aims to improve the skills of existing riders and those returning after a long lay off.

A group of volunteers including officers from West Mercia traffic police, paramedics and Dave Williams from the motorcycle training school will be running the project with the support of Herefordshire's transportation unit.

The courses, which run every eight weeks, are tailored to the individual motorcyclist's needs including a series of observed rides and tuition using the 'Road Craft' system.

At the end of each course they are given the opportunity to take the institute of advanced motorist test if they have reached the required standard.

There will be many other attractions to take part in on the day including the Honda simulator challenge and learning how to save lives after watching techniques demonstrated by paramedics.

In Herefordshire accidents involving motorcycles between April 1998 and June 2000 have resulted in 10 deaths, 65 serious and 130 slight injuries.

l Over 90 per cent of the accidents occurred in fine weather.

l Nearly 80 per cent on dry roads.

l 36 per cent of fatal accidents happened on Sunday.

l Twice as many accidents occur between the months of May and October compared to the rest of the year.