THE off-road track where a 15-year-old rider was killed has been closed by council chiefs in Rossendale while an investigation is carried out.

Rossendale Borough Council used its powers to serve a prohibition notice to shut the Enduro motocross track where Matthew James Entwistle died last Thursday.

The section of the site at the 4x4 Cowm Quarry centre in Whitworth will now be closed pending a joint investigation by police and council chiefs.

The youngster, a pupil at Fearns Community Sports College, Bacup, was a keen trials biker and a member of Rossendale Motocross Club.

He lived in Rochdale Road, Bacup, with his family, who paid tribute to "a fun loving, caring and beautiful young boy".

It is understood Matthew fell to his death over a steep drop of more than 70ft.

A spokesman for Rossendale Council said: "We have served a prohibition notice on the Enduro motocross track. It was served in last night's post and will be in force until we are satisfied that it is safe to lift it.

"Other tracks at the site will still be able to operate apart from the Enduro' motocross track. The track has been closed as a safety precaution."

Darren Coy, the site owner, said he was co-operating with the investigation and hoped the whole site would not have to close as a result of the accident.

He said: "We took over the quarry to set up somewhere for people to be able to ride off road because everybody needs somewhere to be able to ride.

"It's used by all kinds of people including mountain rescue and the fire brigade for training.

"It would be a shame for everybody if it had to close."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 01282 425001.