Stephen Rae became a founding member of Thornton Cleveleys Road Safety Association at the tender age of 16 and worked tirelessly in schools for 40 years to make sure children were aware of the dangers of the road.

As a lasting tribute to the 57-year-old, surviving members of the association decided to put a memorial bench in one of Mr Rae's favourite spots – outside Thornton Little Theatre.

Tony Horth, former member, said: "Sadly we had to wind down the association in 2006 because there were only a few of us left on the committee.

"We had some funds left and we thought it'd be nice to use the money for a bench in memory of Stephen. He did a lot for the community.

"He liked to admire the gardens at Four Lane Ends so we thought it'd be a nice touch to put the bench there."

The former manager at Thornton job centre, who died from a brain tumour in December 2007, visited schools to run cycling proficiency sessions and arranged road safety poster competitions for local children.

Mr Rae's family and members of the association gathered for the unveiling cere-mony.

His widow, Janet, from Thornton, said: "He was very conscious of road safety.

"I'm very pleased that the bench has been put there. It's a nice way for him to be remembered. I've passed it a few times and people have been using it. I'm sure it'll get used a lot in the summer when people go out of the theatre for a bit of fresh air in the intervals."

Thornton Cleveleys Road Safety Association was founded in 1966 but folded in 2006 due to lack of members.