A HIKER has described the terrifying moments a gang of reckless motorbike riders left him fearing for his life.

Martin Sephton, 40, had been enjoying the sunny Sunday weather by walking the 17-mile round trip between St Helens and the Ashurst Beacon beauty spot.

He was returning home, passing through the village of Dalton, in West Lancashire, on a narrow country lane - facing the oncoming traffic - when he "suddenly heard a huge roar of motorcycles from behind him".

The St Helens dad-of-one alleges one of the riders tried to mow him down by riding directly at him, but he managed to "dodge" out of the way.

Martin described the five riders as "feral" and that they were speeding around on the scrambler-style bikes recklessly, without wearing helmets.

The riders wore scarves to hide their faces. There were no licence plates on the vehicles.

The Star has reported previously about gangs of riders causing chaos on local roads.

'Pulling wheelies and riding on the opposite side of the road'

Martin, who has been left shaken by the ordeal, told the Star: "They came charging down a very narrow and speed-restricted zone section of Beacon Lane at approximately 50mph, possibly more travelling from Parbold towards Upholland.

"They were pulling wheelies in the middle of the road and riding into oncoming traffic on the opposite side of the road.

"One of them then peeled off from the pack and saw me and actually purposefully aimed and directed his motorcycle at me. [He] tried to severely injure me - he went head-on for me.

"Thankfully I managed to somehow dodge his attack.

"He crossed over the opposite side of the road facing oncoming traffic to launch this completely unprovoked attack towards me."

Martin added that the road itself was incredibly narrow. He fears an older or younger walker may not have been "so lucky".

'An attempt to cause serious injury'

He added: "It was a vicious attempt to cause serious injury."

Martin, who is a carer for a family member, says that, so far, he has not reported the incident to the police, as there are no other witnesses to what happened.

He added: "There were no witnesses, I was isolated and alone on that country lane. It all happened in a split second. There were no plates to take a registration or anything like that.

"I'd say they were young men - aged in their 20s perhaps.

"It was a frightening experience, but I'll not let it put me off - I'll carry one going out on my walks."