A SERIOUS accident has taken place at Sutton Bank near Thirsk, North Yorkshire today (Sunday, August 31), resulting in the road being closed.

North Yorkshire Police asked drivers to stay away from area while emergency services deal with the collision between a car and a motorcycle on the A170 near Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe.

The accident happened around lunchtime and the road is set to be re-opened shortly.

The hill has a gradient of one in four - or 25 per cent in places – which also provides added difficulties to rescue efforts.

The road is closed in both directions.