ONE person has died this evening in a road accident involving three cars - all of which burst into flames.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident which happened shortly before 4pm on the eastbound A174 Kirkleatham bypass, near Redcar.

The three cars - a Renault Clio, a Nissan Primera and a Citroen Picasso - burst into flames in the collision between the Fishponds and Grewgrass Lane roundabouts.

The road was closed for five hours and no further details will be available until formal identification of the deceased is made.

Anyone with information is urged to call PC Neil Bennett of Cleveland Road Policing Unit on 01642-301552