An installation inspired by a teenager who was killed by dangerous driver in Altrincham and others killed on the roads across the region appeared in the city centre this week.

Marcus Simmons-Allen was crossing George Richards Way with a friend two years ago when he was struck by Connor Matthews, who was driving a Volkswagen Scirocco around twice the speed limit.

Paula Allen, the mother of the teenager, rushed to the road after she was told by the friend. Marcus was alive, although in a critical condition, and he died at Salford Royal Hospital the following morning.

Ms Allen made a heartbreaking statement in court as Matthews was sentenced to six years and eight months towards the start of last year and now the family is at the forefront of the Last Steps campaign by Transport for Greater Manchester to increase the safety of roads across the region, in particular as darker nights draw in.

She attended an installation inspired by her son and others killed on the roads across the region after it appeared on Market Street this week.

The exhibition included 25 plinths for the 25 pedestrians killed on the roads of Greater Manchester last year with their ages, genders, and a pair of shoes as a symbol of their last steps.

Ms Allen said: "I hope everyone who has seen this exhibition will stop, reflect and share what they have learned with their family and friends.

"I would never want anyone to go through what we have and I would urge all drivers to take extra care on darker nights and always keep a look out for pedestrians crossing the road."

Chief Inspector Ronnie Neilson, of the Greater Manchester Police Safer Transport Unit, said: "As Marcus Simmons-Allen's story has shown, careless driving or dangerous driving can have devastating consequences, and the risk to pedestrians is even higher on darker nights.

"We are backing the Last Steps campaign as part of our commitment to ridding the road of careless drivers and we hope it reminds all drivers to stay extra alert on dark evenings."

For information go to beenetwork.com/LastSteps.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.