A 42 year old motorcyclist died when his bike was 'launched' into the air after leaving the road at Belmont on a favourite route with bikers.

An inquest heard that Michael Smalley suffered multiple injuries in the crash, which did not involve any other vehicles.

And a senior police accident investigator revealed that his calculations showed Mr Smalley had been travelling in excess of 70 mph when he slammed on his brakes as he approached the brow of a hill.

"The cause of the accident was excessive speed for the road layout and conditions," said Sergeant James Boothby. "The whole incident would have taken only one and a half seconds and it would only have taken a brief lapse in concentration."

The inquest heard that Mr Smalley, of Teasdale Close, Chadderton, was out with two friends and after visiting a motorbike shop near Old Trafford they had headed to Belmont eventually aiming to ride to Rivington Barn.

Recording a verdict of accidental death deputy coroner Carolyn Singleton said there was no escaping the fact that excessive speed was responsible for the incident.