A MOTHER whose son died in a car crash has made an emotional appeal for all young people to use their seatbelts.

Daniel Bonney known as Dan to his family and friends was only 23 when he died of serious injuries in a car accident last September.

He was a front seat passenger in the vehicle, which was being driven by his friend, Ian Fraser. It crashed into the Proffitts furniture showroom at the junction of Rupert Street and Rigby Street in Great Lever, close to where he lived.

An inquest in the death heard last week that none of the four people in the car were wearing seatbelts.

Daniel's mother, Gillian Taylor, said: "I would ask all young people to belt up as soon as they get into a car. We don't know whether it would have made a difference, but seatbelts are vital.

"The message is so important, as soon as I get in to a car now, the first thing I do is make sure everyone is wearing their seatbelt."

Speaking from her home in Roxalina Street, Great Lever, Mrs Taylor described her son as a family man who doted on his young daughter Bethany."Bethany has just turned two, and the day before the accident, Dan had her name tattooed on his arm. He really wanted more children," said Mrs Taylor Daniel, one of five children Laura, aged 20, Rachel, aged 20 and twins Jordan and Victoria, aged 11 attended Bishop Bridgeman Primary, before attending The Deane School.

He looked after his daughter at his home on South Street, which he shared with girlfriend, Natalie Granville.

Daniel's sister, Laura, said: "He wanted to be a car mechanic. He loved cars and music, he also would have loved to be DJ. We bought him some decks for his 21st birthday and he played them all the time."

She added that her brother was very popular.

"He had so many friends, the church was packed at his funeral."

Mrs Taylor added: "Bethany will grow up knowing everything about her dad. I just want young people to think every time they get in a car."