One hundred balloons were released during a celebration of life event for a teenager who tragically died in a motorbike accident last year.

Family and friends of 18-year-old Lloyd Mitchell joined together on the Rye on Saturday - near to the junction where he died in September - to unveil a bench in his memory and commemorate what would have been his 19th birthday.

Almost six months on from the fatal collision at the junction of Chestnut Avenue and Bassetsbury Lane, a special ceremony was held to honour his life.

Lloyd’s mother, Paula Nathan, said: “It’s really nice to see so many people who loved and knew Lloyd here today.

“We can’t believe it has almost been six months after he passed away and we just wanted to have something here for people to be able to use and remember him.

“We went out for a meal as well yesterday [Friday, February 20] for what would have been his birthday and it was really nice to celebrate the day in that way.

“We wanted to make this event really special and we are doing the balloon release as a way to get everyone involved.”

She added: “People have been writing personal messages on them for him and we decided to choose blue balloons because he loved Chelsea [FC].”

Following his death tributes were maintained on the junction and Wycombe District Council recently agreed to have a bench placed on the Rye as a way to ensure there was a more permanent fixture in memory of Lloyd.

As well as relatives and friends of Lloyd, councillors from the area also attended while Reverend Elaine Carr from St Annes and St Peters Church in Wycombe Marsh joined the group together in prayer.

She said: “I am here to support the family and everyone who has been affected by his death. As a Christian I strongly believe it’s good to support those who are grieving.”

Last month Ms Nathan started a petition to make changes to the layout of the junction, which she believes is hazardous because of poor visibility.

The online petition has been signed by about 320 people, and numerous paper petitions have been given to shop keepers and businesses across Wycombe.

This petition has received the support of former mayor of High Wycombe, Cllr Trevor Snaith who at the time said the “junction is just another accident waiting to happen”.

Buckinghamshire County Councillor Julia Wassell has also been looking into what changes can be made near the junction and says she has been successful in getting two new “give way” road signs implemented in Chestnut Avenue.

She said: “I am very pleased that the County Council have agreed to place two modern Give Way signs at Chestnut Avenue and Keep Hill Road. These will be at the junction with Bassetsbury Lane.

“In addition, the ‘SLOW’ sign on the road before the junction will have enhanced visibility through reinstatement of a previous double yellow line.”

To view the petition for a change to the road layout go to www.change.org and search “Bassetsbury Lane”.