A MOTORCYCLIST and his pillion passenger who were killed when their bike hit a stationary car have been named by police this morning.

Craig Poulter, aged 29, of The Green, Bishop Middelham, owned the green Yamaha Ninja which collided with a stationary Ford Focus at Winterton Cottages, on the B1278 Salters Lane, near Sedgefield, at 3.55am on Saturday.

His passenger was 30-year-old Jonathan Whitfield, of Heatherdene Road, Fishburn.

Police said the bike was travelling south-east along the road but did not know why it hit the car.

The road was closed for four hours.

Accident investigation officers appealed witnesses to contact them on 0191-375-2159.