AS the lambing season approaches, potentially one of the busiest times of the year for using quad bikes, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) is urging farmers to make sure they wear a safety helmet when using the machines.

Cheryl Anthony, HSE principal inspector of agriculture, said: "Quad bikes are an essential part of life on upland farms.

"During lambing, when farmers and shepherds are regularly out in the fields, the temptation is to just hop on the bike without stopping to put on a safety helmet.

"I would urge quad bike users to make sure they have a properly-fitting helmet, to check that it's in good condition, and keep it with the bike so it's to hand whenever the vehicle is needed.

"Fitting a helmet before you drive off takes only a moment, and could save your life, or keep you out of a wheelchair. It is, of course, illegal not to wear a safety helmet when using a quad bike for work and employers must provide helmets for their employees."