A RUNNER from Kingsbridge says he will give up on-the-road practice after he was narrowly missed by a car near Stumpy Cross.

Richard Scanlon said he runs at different times during the day, depending on when he is free.

But he added: 'We don't have access to the roads any more, it's too dangerous'.

This was the third time that he has nearly been hit by a car while running on the roads near Stumpy Cross.

Kingsbridge police Sgt Dave Green said it was not a problem that he was aware of, but as a runner himself, he always tries to stick to the quieter roads where speeds are low.

He explained that his advice to runners would be: Stick to footpaths where possible, avoid 'A' class roads, wear a high visability reflective jacket, run in pairs rather than on your own, avoid dusk or poor lighting conditions, on two-way roads run facing the traffic and choose roads that have a grass verge you can escape onto in an emergency.

He also said: 'Imagine you are a driver – would you expect to encounter a runner on this particular road? If not, don't use it.'