POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a serious road accident in east Durham on Thursday.

The incident took place just before 8.30pm, in Church Street, Murton and involved a Honda 1000cc motorcycle and a Fiat Punto car which collided head on.

The motorcycle was being driven by a 41-year-old man from Washington. He was taken to Sunderland Royal Infirmary suffering from fractures, as well as chest injuries, but they were not though to be life threatening.

The driver of the Fiat was a 74-year-old woman from the Chapel Park area of Newcastle who suffered minor injuries and shock.

The B1285 road at Church Street was closed for nearly two hours.

Witnesses to the accident are asked to contact police on 0191-386 4929.