The parents of Grant Embling, who was killed at a notorious accident blackspot, will mark the anniversary of his death with a permanent roadside memorial cross, to remind drivers to respect the road.

The family described the three-year jail term given to the man who caused their son's death as "a bitter pill to swallow".

The 20-year-old former Oxford and Cherwell Valley College student was killed after his motorbike was hit by a speeding car on the A4130 near Didcot, on September 26 last year.

At Oxford Crown Court Paul Pettifer, 26, of Springfield Road, Wantage, admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Mr Embling's mother, Jan, of Sinodun Road, Didcot, said: "I want the cross to remind other drivers of Grant's death, to encourage them to respect the road."

Following her son's death, Mrs Embling launched a campaign for improvements to the A4130.

More than 8,000 residents signed a petition and in February the road markings were changed to include a hatched area along the centre of the carriageway to discourage overtaking.

Mrs Embling said: "The hatch markings have made such a difference and it feels a lot safer. People have been saying to me it's like a different road."

The court heard that Pettifer was overtaking a lorry at more than 75mph as he headed towards the A34.

Mr Embling was travelling in the other direction and was hit head-on. Pettifer was said in court to be full of remorse and had written a letter to the Emblings.

Speaking after the hearing, Mrs Embling, who attended court with her husband Mike and his children, said the sentence had come as a shock.

She said: "I thought he would have got longer, but knowing the justice system as it is, I'm not really surprised.

"The fact is that our son has gone and a sentence doesn't change that.

"Our lives are totally wrecked and we are as distraught now as when he first died."

It was the first time the family had come face-to-face with Pettifer and Mrs Embling said: "I thought I would hate him and I didn't. But I didn't feel any compassion towards him either.

"I haven't read the letter he sent us and I do not want to.

"Grant was just a lovely, wonderful, young man and he was so cheated."

Mr Embling, a computer and motorcycle enthusiast, had recently completed a science course.