A STRETCH of the A19 which was closed following a serious accident this morning has now reopened.

The seven-mile stretch from North Yorkshire into Teesside was closed for several hours as emergency services dealt with the incident, which was believed to have involved an overturned vehicle.

The road was closed northbound between the A172 near the Cleveland Tontine and the A67 Crathorne junction at Kirklevington near Yarm.

Accident investigators were on scene earlier.

Just one lane was closed initially but the north carriageway was then completely shut after the crash, which happened close to East Rounton at the Hutton Rudby junction.

Motorists were diverted via the A172 through Stokesley and Marton.