POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman was knocked off her bike by a car towing a caravan which then failed to stop.

The cyclist, a 45-year-old local woman, was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough with non-life threatening injuries to her head and arms.

The woman was riding a black and white mountain bike along the A684 towards Bedale at around 5.40pm on Sunday, July 27.

She was overtaken by a white MPV-type vehicle towing a twin-axle caravan as she passed the sports field opposite Grange Road Farm which clipped her as it pulled back in.

The driver of the car did not stop at the scene and continued towards Bedale.

Officers are trying to trace the driver of the car and any witnesses to the incident.

One potential witness was the driver of an AA or RAC van, which was seen travelling in the opposite direction to the caravan.

The driver of the van may not be aware of the collision but will have witnessed the caravan overtake the cyclist.

Officers are urging the driver of the van to come forward.

Anyone with information should contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option two – and ask for Traffic Constable Steve Wood or Thirsk Roads Policing Group.

Alternatively, information can be emailed to steven.wood@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

People should quote reference number 12140125844 when passing information about this incident.