A BIKER suffered ‘significant injuries’ during a collision with lorry early on Thursday.

Emergency services were called to Third Avenue, Drum Industrial Estate, in Chester-le-Street, just before 6am.

Police said a Honda motorcycle collided with a stationary heavy goods vehicle, leaving the rider badly hurt.

The motorcyclist was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary hospital, in Newcastle.

The driver of the HGV did not sustain any injuries.

A spokesman for Durham Constabulary said: “An investigation is ongoing.”

North East Ambulance Service attended along with crews from County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service.

A fire spokeswoman said: “Firefighters were called to reports of a collision between a motorcycle and a HGV at the Drum Industrial Estate, Chester-le-Street just after 5.50am this morning.

“A crew from High Handenhold Fire Station attended the scene to make the motorcycle safe.

“The crew then returned to the scene of the collision at around 11am to clean fuel from the road surface.”