A coroner has called for a review of safety measures on Gloucestershire's 'most dangerous' stretch of road, which has claimed four lives in three years.

After holding an inquest into the death of Lydney dad Mathew Trattles, 24, the assistant deputy Gloucestershire coroner Tom Osborne said he would be writing to the county highways authority about the A48 at Minsterworth.

He will ask them to review "what further measures can be taken to bring to the attention of those driving on this dangerous road that they should slow down and that it should not be attempted at greater speeds than 50mph".

Mr Trattles' family say they will also be campaigning for safety measures.

His mother, Ann, suggested to the inquest that a flashing speed sign should be put up at the roadside.

The inquest in Cheltenham heard that all four deaths have resulted from excessive speed or driver error on the bend close to the Severn Bore pub.

Mr Trattles, from Queen Street, was driving a Subaru Impreza home from a visit to his children in North Wales on November 3 last year when he lost control on the bend at high speed and smashed into a Mercedes Sprinter van.

His car burst into flames and he was burned to death, the inquest was told.

Police collision investigator PC Simon Edwards said he had calculated the Impreza's speed before Mr Trattles began to brake at 77-95mph.

The officer said the van driver, John Naughton from Cinderford, was driving in a 'safe and careful' manner but Mr Trattles was doing about 86mph and was possibly trying to cut the corner.

Mr Trattles had drunk some alcohol but was below the limit, he said.

The inquest heard that Mr Trattles had texted his girlfriend, Kerry Ann Gardner, that night at 12.20am saying he was heading home and would call to see her. He texted her again at 3.04am – six minutes before the fatal crash – saying he had just passed the Newent turning.

His father, Ken Trattles, said he was at home at 12.30am when his son rang saying he was on his way home.

"He said he had been thrown out and she had thrown the suitcase at his car.

"He didn't appear angry or distressed. I told him to take it easy and not to rush home," said Mr Trattles.

"He said 'I'm not going to rush. I'll take it through the courts so I can see my son. He then said goodbye."

Recording an accidental death verdict, the coroner said: "Everyone involved must realise this road is not part of a race track."

After the inquest the family issued a statement thanking the emergency services and the police family liaison officer, PC David Wood.

"We are deeply sorry for Mr Naughton and for all the stress this has caused him," they said.

"We would like to ask everyone that knew Mathew to remember the good times they had with him.

"His children will say 'Daddy's a bright star in the sky' and 'Daddy's in Heaven'."