DEATHS on Bolton's roads may double by the end of the year.

Already 10 people have lost their lives and scores of others badly injured in a shocking increase in road crashes.

And with the worst of the weather still to come traffic police are predicting an horrific end to the Millennium year.

The chilling warning came at the start of a major drive to improve road safety in the town.

The death toll for the first six months of the year has already surpassed the total number of annual fatalities since 1997. And council figures show that the number of people killed so far this year has already doubled from 1999.

Bolton Traffic Unit is urging pedestrians, motorcyclists and motorists to take extra care as driving conditions worsen through the winter.

Sgt Ken Carter, of Bolton Traffic Unit, said: "The fact that we have exceeded the previous three years' figures in just six months speaks for itself.

"Of course we're concerned and anxious to promote road safety and we would urge people to adopt basic safety precautions.

"It's always very upsetting when we have to liaise with the family and friends of people who have been killed. These are the people who are left to pick up the pieces of their lives after losing a loved one.

"It can also be very distressing for the officers who have to attend these accident scenes.

"Motorists should drive to the conditions rather than the speed limit - if it's raining or snowing they should slow down regardless of the speed limit.

"And if people have to walk across busy roads at night they should wear light-coloured clothing so they can be seen more clearly." Officers are set to implement their annual blitz against Christmas drink-drivers and stop-checks will be introduced to ensure cars are roadworthy.

Town hall road safety bosses last night voiced their concerns about the crash death toll. An analysis of annual fatalities from January showed 10 deaths up to September, compared with just four for 1999.

A spokesman said: "It is too early for us to come to any conclusions about this year's figures but, with winter approaching and the weather deteriorating, we would advise everybody to take extra care.

"We will continue to monitor data, identify possible causes, look at area where they occur and any measures which we may be able to introduce."

The safety message comes days after the latest road accident claimed the life of 78-year-old Francis Gallagher, who was in collision with a car as he crossed Crompton Way, Astley Bridge, on Monday.

On November 3, 19-year-old student Badar Rafique smashed through the windscreen of his Honda Civic, suffering multiple injuries which proved fatal following the smash on Chorley Old Road. Cyclist Andrew Stuchbury, aged 33, died as he rode home along Chorley New Road, Horwich, last month.