A senior doctor at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals has added her support to Bradley Wiggins’ calls for new helmet laws.

Dr Ruth Charlton, joint medical director and consultant paediatrician at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals, is supporting the gold medallist and Tour de France winner as he calls for a new law to make wearing a helmet mandatory for cyclists.

Dr Charlton said: "During my career, I have treated cyclists, including lots of children, who have been very badly injured while out riding, and I know first-hand the difference that a helmet can make.

"All too often, these injuries could have been lessened or avoided if the cyclist had been wearing a correctly fitted helmet. And that’s why I’m backing Bradley Wiggins’ call for helmets to be made compulsory while cycling – this is a matter of life or death."

Dr Charlton, who regularly cycles with her husband and two children, always wears a helmet and ensures her family do the same.

Her advice includes making sure you have a correctly fitted hard shell safety helmet and ensuring that your lights work.

Other tips include switching off your personal music system, mobile phone and making sure that you are clearly visible.

For more information visit: direct.gov.uk/cycling.