A MOTORCYCLIST is critically ill in hospital after hitting a lamppost.

The incident happened at 1.50pm on Sunday on Thorpe Road, Peterlee.

The 23-year-old was riding a Lexmoto Arrow 125cc machine when, for an unknown reason, he left the road and collided with the lamppost.

He was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where he remains in a critical condition.

  • Any witnesses to the collision are asked to call Durham Police on 101.