THE family of a grandmother who died after being in collision with a push bike in Hereford city centre are calling for greater measures to protect pedestrians.

Mary Evans, 73, was returning to the city's railway station following a day's shopping with a friend when the collision occurred close to the Lakeland store on Commercial Street.

The Droitwich pensioner died last Friday just over a week after the accident, which happened at 3pm on July 30.

Bylaw documents shown to the Hereford Times show push bikes are not allowed to be ridden in Commercial Street between 10.30am and 4.30pm.

David Evans had been married to Mary for 52 years, having first met his then wife-to-be when the pair were 16.

He said: "I gave her a £10 note to get her train ticket and she never came back.

"I was expecting her home about 20 minutes after I received a phone call telling me what had happened.

"She was very fit and sprightly and really enjoyed visiting Hereford.

"We think that if we can do something to stop people whizzing around busy shopping areas that it might help save others.

"We want to stress we're not against cyclists; I'm a keen cyclist myself. It is not the bikes but some of the people on them."

Mr Evans' views were echoed by the couple's daughter, Jane Dunkley.

"It is tragic enough that it is my mum but what if it was a child," she said.

"What would a parent be going through right now?

"We want something good to come of her death and to stop this happening to anyone else. We don't want her to die in vain.

"People are often unaware of the consequences of cycling in areas like this. That needs to be highlighted."

Mrs Evans had three children and five grandchildren.

An inquest is due to be opened into her death.

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact police on 101 quoting incident number 424 of 30th July.