THE parents of a teenage cyclist who died after a crash on a dual carriageway are calling for speed cameras and other safety features on the stretch of road where she died.

Sapphire Brown and her boyfriend Alex Parker were cycling across the A38 Alfreton Road, at its junction with Common Road in Sutton-in-Ashfield, when Sapphire was in collision with a black Mercedes 500SE.

The 17-year-old, from Selston, suffered serious injuries in the incident at about 7.50pm on Friday, August 27.

She died six days later at the Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham.

Her dad Richard Brown, 40, said: "Something has to be done. I'm a taxi driver and everybody speeds down there. It's such a busy road."

Mr Brown and wife, Lynn, 39, said they would be contacting councillors in their bid to make the section of A38 near its junction with Common Road safer.

Mrs Brown said Sapphire was on her way home with Alex, who lives in Huthwaite, when the collision took place.

She added: "There has to be speed cameras where she died. It's always busy."

Mr and Mrs Brown were proud that Sapphire, who had four younger brothers and a younger sister, had excelled in her second year of a three-year childcare course at Sutton Centre Community College.

Mr Brown said: "She was the only one of the course to get an A in her class. She's always been good with kids. She's had a head start on some of the others on the course with all her brothers and her sister. She'd worked at nurseries in Sutton."

A floral tribute to Sapphire has been tied to a railing at the crossing on the A38 where the collision took place.

Inside the bouquet was a card which read: "You will be forever in everyone's hearts and leave us memories no one can steal. Now you're an angel, the pain you suffered will heal. Sleep tight. Lots of love John, Kelly, Sami and Scott xxxx."

Two Facebook sites have been set up in memory of Sapphire. One of the sites, which has attracted more than 150 members, was created by her friend Amy Orton, 16, who was a neighbour when the Brown family lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield until moving to Selston three months ago.

Amy said: "She was a bright, intelligent girl. She'd be there for anybody. She was just one of those girls that would not hurt anyone."

Shoppers and traders in Huthwaite at the weekendspoke of their shock at Sapphire's death and their concern about accidents on the A38 Alfreton Road.

One 39-year-old woman working in the Co-op, who did not want to be named, said: "I was devastated to hear about her death. She was the same age as my son. They both went to the same school. There are more accidents on the A38 lately than there are on the motorway nearby."

Co-op customers Adam Edwards, 18, and his brother, Daniel, 17, both from Huthwaite, said their thoughts were with Sapphire's family.

Daniel said: "It's shocking. It must be very bad for her parents."

Adam added: "When it's rush hour the A38 is very bad. There's always crashes on there."

A 26-year-old man driving the Mercedes was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone with any information or who witnessed the crash is asked to call the Crash Investigation Unit on 0300 300 9999.