POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a fatal accident on a notorious bend which claimed the life of a teenager.

Steven David Weston, 19, died from extensive head injuries after his car left the road and struck a tree on the A688, at Barford Corner, near Barnard Castle, on Wednesday.

The accident happened at about 7.10pm when Mr Weston's Vauxhall Cavalier was travelling east from Barnard Castle to Staindrop.

A police spokesman said: "The car appears to have gone out of control on a severe left hand bend, left the road and struck a tree."

Mr Weston, from Barnard Castle, was certified dead at the scene.

The corner has been an accident blackspot for several years and has claimed a number of lives.

Recent accidents include a teenager who was badly hurt when he crashed into a tree on Christmas Day 1999.

Just over a year earlier, five people had to be cut out of their car after failing to negotiate the corner and striking a tree.

Durham Constabulary's accident investigation unit is appealing for witnesses to Wednesday night's crash.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact 0191-386 4929.