LAWRENCE Hare's accident has left his family devastated and helpless.Today his mother-in-law spoke out of the desperate need for greater safety in the world of speedway and championed the cause of air fences.

By Victoria Knowles

LAWRENCE Hare's accident has left his family devastated and helpless.

Today his mother-in-law spoke out of the desperate need for greater safety in the world of speedway and championed the cause of air fences.

Audrey Tully wants to campaign to save future riders from the kind of horrific injuries she is watching her beloved son-in-law endure.

"Let us start the Lawrence Hare Safety Campaign to help stop any other families suffering so unnecessarily.

"My lovely Lol would probably be pottering in his workshop, instead of lying motionless in a hospital bed unsure of his future if these had been in place."

"Nobody has seen fit to make it law that all speedway tracks should have these so called air fences. Let riders, spectators, anyone connected, stand tall and speak loudly to say that this type of barrier must be provided," she said from her home in Bramford Road.

Mrs Tully said the sport needs to be as safe as it possibly can be to protect future riders.

"I know there are people who say riders know the dangers and that is quite true, but they bravely entertain, and thrill their viewing public.

"Doesn't it seem obvious that it should be made as safe as it possibly can. The thrill will still be there, the adrenaline rush for the rider and spectator, but there will be more chance at the end of the meeting that every rider will walk home into the arms of the loved ones."

Ronnie Allan, chairman of the Speedway Control Board said they were monitoring very closely the introduction of air fences.

"We are embarking on a programme to look at how air fences improve safety and at the moment we only have the Grand Prix to go on. We have three tracks that will have air fences and will be monitoring them closely.

"We can not come out to support air fences at all races until we have good evidence to show they are safe. I have spoken to top riders who say there are pros and cons with regards to air fences. We want to make sure the steps we take are the right ones.

"Unfortunately no matter what legislation we bring in there will always be injuries. I know Lawrence personally and this is a terrible thing to happen to him and I hope we can all come together to find the best solution," he said.