Motorcyclists and villagers are pushing for greater safety on a notorious stretch of road after the death of a rider.

Mark d'Ardenne, 22, was killed in a head-on crash on the A4074 Dorchester bypass on Saturday afternoon after visiting Fox's Diner at Berinsfield, a well-known meeting place for riders.

With more motorcyclists using the roads around the diner during spring and summer, both villagers and officials of the Fox Motorcycle Club are appealing for safer motoring from drivers and riders.

Steve Harding, chairman of the 250-member motorcycle club which meets at the diner, said: "We're doing everything we can.

"We work with police to enforce a six-point plan we agreed last year to curb dangerous riding.

"Our members are very conscious they have a responsibility to set an example by leading the way in road safety."

Berinsfield parish council discussed Mr d'Ardenne's death on Monday and asked police and county council road safety officials to monitor the road more closely to see how accidents can be prevented.

Mr d'Ardenne's Yamaha bike is believed to have clipped a traffic island and he and his machine were catapulted across the road. There was a head-on collision with a Peugeot. A BMW and a Mercedes were also involved.

Mr d'Ardenne was pronounced dead at the scene.

Dorchester and Berinsfield representative on Oxfordshire County Council, John Howell, has worked closely with bikers and police to cut speeds on the Dorchester bypass.

He said: "This was a tragedy. The death of any young man like this is to be regretted.

"I'm working again with the county road safety officers, bikers and police to find out what happened and how something like this can be avoided in the future."

Dr Howell, and Berinsfield parish council chairman Ken Hall, both said Fox Motorcycle Club members who use Fox's Diner were not the problem.

Dr Howell said: "These people are responsible bikers and are trying to do what they can to cut accidents.

"Police had CCTV camera vans monitoring the diner area but we are now asking them to concentrate more on the roads than on a group which is generally no problem."

Mr Harding said: "Mr d'Ardenne was not a member of this club - he was just one of many bikers who like to come to Fox's Diner.

"We have notices about urging people to ride safely and we support the police and the county council in everything they do to promote safe motorcycling. We reinforced the road safety messages at our club night on Monday."

He said the motorcycle club backed the call by villagers for a permanent speed camera on the bypass.