A NORTHUMBERLAND family's bid to improve safety for cyclists has been dealt a major blow by a government minister.

The family of Eilidh Cairns, killed after being knocked off by her bike by a heavy goods vehicle, have been campaigning at European level to have them fitted with sensors and cameras to remove their blind spots.

However, UK roads minister Mike Penning has now said he feels it would be “inappropriate” to force people to add such equipment to their vehicles.

The family and campaign partner North East MEP Fiona Hall have described the minister’s words as disappointing but vowed to continue their fight.

Eilidh, who was born and brought up in the Alnwick area, died after being hit as she cycled to work in London, where she lived and worked for a television production company, in February 2009. The HGV driver claimed he had not seen her.

Eilidh’s mother Heather and sister Kate, who both live near Alnwick, and Liberal Democrat Miss Hall, began campaigning for HGVs to be fitted with the equipment, to prevent further collisions.

The trio lobbied MEPs to back their campaign, with Heather travelling to the European Parliament in Strasboug twice and Kate once, to drum up support.

They managed to enlist more than half of MEPs, meaning the European Commission has to come forward with proposals to change the law.

The also won backing from Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher.