FRIENDS of Max Lewis are asking Wiltshire Council to let them place a small permanent memorial at the spot where he died in Forest Lane, Melksham.

An online petition has been set up to try and persuade the council to reconsider its policy banning permanent roadside memorials in case they distract drivers.

Friends of the popular 19-year-old from Baldham, Seend, want somewhere they can honour Max and are asking Wiltshire Council if they can have “a discreet stone that will blend in perfectly with the natural landscape” at the side of the road near the grass verge.

Krim Keen Memis, 24, started the petition which has so far received over 1,300 signatures which they hope to present to the council, so they can come to a mutual agreement or compromise after initial requests were rejected.

Max died after the car he was a passenger in collided with a van on November 15.

In the days after his death hundreds of flowers and sentimental items were left, creating a mini shrine on Forest Lane, which was moved to Max’s dad Brian Atkinson’s house.

Posting on Facebook Mr Keen Memis said the plan was to have it “as far back from the road as possible and out of view of passing traffic” at ground level.

“People are going to go to the spot regardless of anything being there, in years to come. It seems to be acceptable to have colourful adverts on every roundabout and bus stop in the county, yet we aren’t allowed a discreet stone that will blend in perfectly with the natural landscape,” he said.

A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “We understand people wish to place a memorial near the spot of his accident.

“However, permanent memorials are not allowed on roadside verges because of highway safety concerns.”