THE family of a seriously injured motorcyclist is backing a police crackdown on reckless drivers.

Dorset Police has warned it is prepared to confiscate drivers' vehicles in a bid to get tough on irresponsible road users.

This comes two weeks after a near-fatal road traffic collision between a motorcycle and a car on Holton Road near Wareham.

Mark Maple, 33, of Ringwood Road, Poole, sustained serious head and leg injuries when the Suzuki motorcycle he was riding was in collision with a Volkswagen Golf car at high speed on April 15.

He is currently in a "very poorly" condition at the neurological unit of Southampton General Hospital.

Police believe the crash may be connected with the use of the Holton Heath estate by motorcyclists for "cruise" type events and speed trials.

Chief Insp Glen Chalk, head of Dorset's road policing unit, said: "Events such as those that have occurred at Holton Heath in the past are illegal and not permissible on the public highway."

Mark's mother Christine has issued her own appeal to motorcyclists who gather at Holton Heath.

She said: "I can't find the words to express the way that this crash has affected all of us - family and friends. Since this happened, we have all been in a deep state of shock. I'd ask anyone who attends the Holton Heath industrial estate not to use it as a race track.

"Anyone who uses it in this way could easily end up in my son's condition and I wouldn't wish this on any family."

Mark's sister Tracey Dyche said: "I'd ask anyone who goes to the Holton Heath industrial estate to think about the consequences of my brother's crash with a hope that no one else will have to suffer what we are going through."

Dorset County Council were scheduled to install rumble strips at the industrial estate last night to support the police crackdown.