A YOUNG girl was killed in a late-night accident when a car she was travelling in left the road and hit a tree.

The 12-year-old, from Stokesley, who has yet to be named by police, was one of the passengers in a Citroen Saxo being driven by a 17-year-old male.

As it was approaching Stokesley on the B1257 at Clay Bank, it went out of control and crashed into a tree.

The accident happened at about 11pm on Wednesday, and all four occupants of the car were taken to hospital in Middlesbrough.

The driver, from Middlesbrough, suffered only minor injuries, as did his other passengers, both believed to be teenagers. They were a girl from Stokesley and a youth from Middlesbrough.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who was using the road between 1pm and 11.30pm that night and who may have seen the Saxo travelling on the road.

People are asked to call PC Alan McNicholl, on (01723) 509555.