POLICE are appealing for witnesses following an accident in which a motorcyclist was killed.

John Peter Haley, 44, died from multiple injuries after his Suzuki 1200c motorbike collided with a Hyundai Pony car on the A688 road at Spennymoor, County Durham.

Mr Haley, of Ashbrooke Road, Sunderland, had been travelling east between Green Lane roundabout and Low Spennymoor roundabout at the time of the accident.

The driver of the Hyundai, a 23-year-old woman from Seaton, near Seaham, who was travelling in the opposite direction, suffered neck and chest injuries.

She was taken to Dryburn Hospital for treatment, but was later discharged.

Police are now trying to identify a white vehicle which was travelling in front of Mr Haley, displaying blue flashing lights.

Inspector Tony Bell, of Durham Police, said yesterday: "We are liaising with police stations and other emergency services in order to trace this vehicle.

"The driver may not be necessarily aware of the accident which happened behind him."

After the accident, at about 4.30pm on Saturday, the A688 was blocked for two hours, until police cleared the scene.

They are now appealing for witnesses and anyone who can help is asked to contact 0191-386 4929.