POLICE have named the farmer killed when a car hit his tractor on the A66 near Barnard Castle, County Durham on Thursday night.

Raymond Handley, 71, died when a Jaguar car hit his tractor.

This afternoon a 49-year-old man from Muirhead in Glasgow was bailed having been arrested and questioned on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and drink-driving.

The incident happened at about 5.30pm as the farmer, from Low Broates farm, was driving his tractor westbound on the A66 around half-a-mile west of the junction with Boldron.

The vehicle was struck by a black Jaguar sports car travelling in the same direction, which collided with the offside rear wheel of the tractor.

This forced the tractor off the carriageway to the nearside and the driver was thrown from his seat through the back window onto the road.

The Jaguar then spun into the outside lane and further collisions took place involving a Ford Focus and an Audi A4 car which were also heading west.

The Focus also caught fire, fortunately after both the driver and passenger were helped from the vehicle by another motorist who stopped to assist.

The tractor driver suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where sadly he died last night.

The Jaguar driver received only minor injuries.

The only passenger was his 19-year-old son, who was uninjured.

The occupants of the Ford Focus were the 72-year-old driver, a man from Kirkby Stephen and his 68-year-old wife. Both received minor injuries and were treated at Darlington Memorial.

The Audi driver, a 25-year-old man from Grimsby was not injured and was able to continue with his journey.

Police are appealing for witnesses, in particular anyone who was on the A66 at that time and saw the Jaguar car and the manner in which it was being driven.

Anyone who can help should contact the accident investigation unit on 0191-375-2159.