A 1,000-name petition demanding action to improve safety at a notorious junction is set to be presented to highways bosses.

Campaigners have battled for two years for the creation of a safe place to cross the Five Lane Ends junction, in Bedale, where an elderly man on a mobility scooter died in a fatal collision.

The road connects Firby Road with Sussex Street, one of the main routes through the town, and is used by many elderly people and parents with young children.

North Yorkshire County Council's highways department has ruled out traffic lights at the junction and say there is no money for a zebra crossing.

Campaigner Brian Hall said: "This is such a vital issue, we refuse to let it simply be forgotten.

"I live on Firby Road and see every day the struggles and problems people have getting across this road."

Mr Hall said he recently counted 759 vehicles passing the junction between 8am and 9am, and saw numerous pedestrians having to dodge between traffic to cross the road.

He said: "We don't want another death. So many people were keen to sign the petition because they know the problems, it's an accident waiting to happen.

"All of our most vulnerable people use this road, there are two schools, a doctors surgery, the Dales-Care centre for elderly people, many old people's bungalows and a leisure centre."

Mayor of Bedale Councillor Amanda Coates said the junction had been a long-standing problem and a solution needed to be found to ensure residents' safety.

She said:"This is a real concern for residents in the town, and people need to know that it is being addressed.".