A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital after suffering serious back injuries after falling from his machine.

The Great North Air Ambulance was called to Bollihope Moor near Stanhope, County Durham , at 11.30am this morning where they found the 57-year-old man had fallen off his bike.

The Pride of Cumbria helicopter took 10 minutes to reach the man from its base in Penrith, and 11 minutes to transport him to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle.

The biker from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, was treated for a serious back injury and his condition was said to be stable.