ONE motorcyclist has died and another two have been seriously injured in a spate of accidents on the region's roads.

A 34-year-old man from the Darlington area died after his bike collided head on with a 4x4 in on the A684 between Swinithwaite and Aysgarth, near Leyburn, in the Yorkshire Dales.

North Yorkshire Police said the man's maroon Kawasaki bike collided with a green Isuzu Rodeo at 6.10pm last night.

He was taken to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

The driver of the Isuzu suffered minor injuries.

A spokeswoman for North Yorkshire Police said the biker was riding with a group of motorcyclists from the Darlington area towards Aysgarth when the collision took place.

Any witnesses, or anyone who saw the group of bikers, is asked to call Traffic Constable Graham Waller on 0845-6060247.

In a separate incident, at 5.30pm last night a motorcycle collided with an articulated lorry on the A61 Ripon to Harrogate road between Ripley roundabout and the junction at Brearton.

The rider, a 44-year-old man from Harrogate, was taken to Harrogate District Hospital before being transferred to Leeds General Infirmary with serious arm, leg and head injuries.

The lorry driver was shaken, but uninjured.

Witnesses should call Traffic Constable Rob Roberts on 0845 6060247.

In a third incident, a biker travelling on Pallion New Road in Sunderland crashed off the road and into a wall at 6.10pm.

He was taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital, where he remains this morning.

A spokeswoman for Northumbria Police said it has not yet been established what caused him to leave the road.