A STRETCH of road near Lechlade has claimed its third victim in as many years.

But Mayor Mike Cawsey is mystified as to why the A361 between the Little Faringdon turn and Filkins is such a black-spot.

Two motorcyclists and a bicyclist have been killed there since 2001.

The latest victim was 34-year-old Robin Lucas, who died on Tuesday.

Mr Lucas was heading towards Burford on his Kawasaki when he was involved in a collision with a Mercedes-Benz which was turning right from the Southrop junction.

The accident happened at 5.40pm.

Mr Lucas, from Broadway, Worcestershire, was pronounced dead at the scene, and the road was closed while officers examined the area. The driver of the Mercedes was not injured.

Coun Cawsey said: "It is 30mph there and I really don't know what more you can do to make it safer.

"There is a slight bend, but I really cannot understand why there have been so many accidents.

"Everybody is concerned about it, but I don't know what can be done to help."

The accidents started in January 2001, when cyclist Nicholas Prest-Smith, 44, was hit by two motorists who failed to spot him because of blinding sunlight.

Mr Prest-Smith, of Katherine Walk, Lechlade, died on a left hand bend near the Little Faringdon junction.

Then last August, motorcyclist Mark Hodges, 31, a landlord at Swindon bar the Mail Coach, died instantly following a head-on collision.

Witnesses to Tuesday's crash should call Thames Valley Police on 0845 80505 505, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.