Clarkson has insulted my son's memory.

Byline: Hywel Trewyn

TV motormouth Jeremy Clarkson was last night accused of insulting the memory of a North Wales teenager who died in a high speed car crash. Mr Clarkson came under fire this week after suggesting rural Wales was a good place to try out fast cars ``because no-one wants to live there''.

His comments were criticised by North Wales Police, who are battling to cut road deaths.

Last night Sue Evans, of Rhyl, whose 18-year-old son Niki was killed when his car collided with a bus on the Rhuddlan-Dyserth road two-and-a-half years ago, said: ``How dare Clarkson insult the memory of my boy.''

Apprentice mechanic Niki was a motorsports fanatic who was named after the former Formula 1 driver Niki Lauda.

Mrs Evans, 53, said: ``I think that's terrible. It's a bad message to give out.

``It's very irresponsible considering a lot of young people watch the programme. My eldest son watches it.

``Niki used to watch it religiously. He's asking for trouble, particularly with the following that he's got.

``Quite frankly, I'm gobsmacked that he should say that.''

After Niki's death, Sue and husband Len set up a fund in his memory with the aim of helping young people improve their driving.

They decided to make a hard-hitting 18-minute video, titled simply Niki, copies of which were sent to every secondary school in North Wales.

Mrs Evans said: ``The video was aimed at young drivers, more or less telling them to cut down on their speed. There has been a lot of interest shown in it and Yorkshire Police have asked for copies as well as various youth offending teams.

``The comments by Jeremy Clarkson undermine the memory of Niki. The video was made with the help of the North Wales road safety committee in the hope that it would stop young drivers from speeding.

``Jeremy Clarkson has totally swept that aside.

``I have sent a letter to Top Gear and to BBC Wales to say that my son and his friends are regular viewers with a warning that Jeremy Clarkson should watch his mouth in future and the messages he gives to young drivers.''

Mrs Evans has sent copies of the video to the BBC and is asking executives to take 20 minutes to watch it.

The BBC have denied Clarkson would advocate speeding.

Clwyd West AM Alun Pugh has written to BBC director general Greg Dyke demanding stricter guidelines for producers making motoring programmes.L Have your say: write to us atwww.icnorthwales.co.uk/ messageboard

CAPTION(S):

CAMPAIGN: Sue Evans has set up a fund to help young people improve their driving; FANATIC: Niki Evans