FAMILY and friends have helped buy a new bus for Blackburn Blind Society in memory of a teenage motorbike enthusiast who died during a time trial.

Steven Anderton, 16, died after his bike collided with a wall on the sea front in Little Bispham during an event organised by the Fleetwood and District Motorcycle Club.

His dad, Trevor, said the bus, bought with money raised by the local community, would help other members of the Blind Society.

He said: "Steven proved that just because he was partially sighted it didn't stop him from achieving. He was always a winner and this bus can help others follow in his memory by helping them to travel."

The £15,000 bus, which has Steven's name printed on the passenger door, has disabled access and will allow the society to take their members on outings across the country.

The vehicle was bought using a variety of donations, including £800 raised after Steven, of Sandon Street, Blackburn died in June. An inquest has yet to be held by Blackpool and Fylde coroner Anne Hind.

Staff and children at Witton Park High School, where Steven was a pupil, saw the bus for the first time this week.

Chief Executive Mike Mulcahy of Blackburn and District Blind Society said: "I knew Steven from being a young boy. He was a gentleman and a wonderful example that partially sighted children don't have to be restricted.

"He was a credit to us."

Mr Anderton said: "It is good to give something back to the society after all they did for Steven when he was here."

Margaret Hill, Steven's support worker since he was 10, helped him achieve nine GCSE's, two of which were honorary after he never got the chance to sit his final exam.

Today she paid tribute to him, saying she would "never forget him."

Mrs Hill, who went with him from Griffin Park Primary to high school, said: "I used to adjust work for him to make it easier for him to see, enlarge words and organise revision.

"Although his eye sight was very poor and he was close to having to use Braille, he never let it interfere with anything he did."

Steven's deputy head Gwen Onyon said: "It has been both a sad and proud day to see where the money realised has gone. Steven made a mark on a lot of people. He was a remarkable young man."

Steven's friend Dane Andrews, 13 of Norman Street, Blackburn, was with him on the day he died.

He said: "He was a good friend and like a big brother to me. I miss him."