Cyclists reflect on road safety

Cyclists' safety is being helped with the introduction of a helmet with rear-view mirror.

Makers of the helmet say they hope the device will revolutionise road safety.

County Durham-based company Reevu, which developed the helmet, claims it is the first of its kind in the world.

The Metropolitan Police is said to be considering placing an order for 1,000 helmets.

Billy Morgan: 'Dramatic impact'

The helmet, which Reevu claims protects as well as conventional helmets, works by using a series of mirrors.

They enable the rider to look into a mirror under the front rim and see what is behind through a window in the back of the helmet.

Billy Morgan, of Reevu, told BBC Look North: "It is not hard to visualise how dramatic the impact this helmet will have on road safety.

"We haven't seen anything that's been introduced into the cycle market over the last 20 years that makes as dramatic an impact on accident prevention.

'Working diligently'

"The product itself was first conceived after the son of a friend fell off his bicycle and was quite seriously hurt.

"It happened because he turned his head to look behind him at a junction.

"We decided to find a manufacturer... this was two years ago and we have been working diligently with the design team ever since."