OUR son could still be alive if the dark road where he died was lit, believe his grieving parents.

They spoke as more than 100 people gathered last night in a torch-lit protest at the spot where Mr Lancaster died last Christmas Eve, aged 21. He was struck by a car near the Park Hotel, Pandy, on the A465 between Hereford and Abergavenny.

An inquest in September heard that Mr Lancaster had fallen into the pitch-black road around 9.30pm after spending the day drinking with friends.

Pamela Howarth, who was driving the Kia car that struck Mr Lancaster, told the Newport inquest she did not see him lying in the road, and police said that the driver could have had only two seconds to stop.

Mr Lancaster's parents, Lyndon and Carol Lewis, believe he would still be alive today had there been street lighting on the stretch of road where there are two pubs and two hotels.

They are spearheading a campaign to get better illumination on the road and have collected a 2,000-signature petition.

The National Assembly has pledged to install street lighting along the road sometime in the 2005/06 financial year.

But Mr and Mrs Lewis believe it should be done as a priority before anyone else is killed. They organised the protest last night to hammer home the point and remember their son.

People of all ages gathered at the spot where Mr Lancaster died, and shone torches onto the ground for 15 minutes.

Croesonen councillor Roger Harris and Abergavenny councillor Robin Griffiths accepted the petition from Mr and Mrs Lewis.

After the demonstration finished, Mr Lewis, from Charles Crescent, Abergavenny, hailed it a big success.

"I was very pleased with the way it went," said Mr Lewis. "The point we wanted to make was certainly made, in no uncertain manner.

"There is obviously human traffic up and down the road with people going to the pubs and hotels, because if they are drinking they are not going to be driving. We feel street lighting could help prevent another tragedy.

"My son was a pedestrian and I think street lighting could have made the difference.

"I think the turnout reflected how local people feel about this road. We want the lights now - not later."

Councillor Griffiths said: "This area is known as an accident blackspot, and when you know that is the case, then as elected members you have a responsibility to support anybody making a stand against that."