A motorcyclist who hit an elderly woman says he will never ride again.

Eva Rigg, 92, died last year after she was struck while crossing the A69 near Aglionby.

She was returning home at about 5pm on December 14 after visiting Carlisle, where she regularly met with friends.

An inquest in Carlisle yesterday heard how Mrs Rigg, of Rose Gate, Aglionby, got off a Stagecoach bus and crossed the busy road at a stretch where there are no streetlights opposite the bus stop.

She was hit by a Honda motorbike ridden by Robert Summers, 66. He suffered minor injuries in the collision and was taken to Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary for treatment,

Mr Summers was travelling 10 miles below the national speed limit of 60mph, and did not see Mrs Rigg due to her dark clothes and the lack of street lighting.

He did not attend the inquest, but said in a statement read out at Cumbria House: "I don't know how many times a day that split second goes through my head.

"I could have done nothing to avoid hitting her.

"I will never forget that someone died, and I will never ride again."

The inquest heard that Mr Summers has since received counselling.

Another motorist who was travelling on the other side of the road got out of her car and attempted to resuscitate Mrs Rigg, but nothing could be done to save her.

A passing policeman, Detective Constable Scott Elliott, continued with CPR until paramedics arrived about 10 minutes after the incident, but Mrs Rigg was pronounced dead at the scene.

In the days after her death, the close-knit community of Aglionby struggled to come to terms with her loss.

She was described as a familiar and much-liked character in the village, where she had lived for many years.

Other neighbours spoke of how Mrs Rigg loved walking and using the bus to visit her friends in Carlisle.

Area Coroner Kally Cheema recorded the cause of death as multiple injuries due to a fatal road traffic accident.