THE motorcyclist who died after a crash near Darlington yesterday has been named by police.

Paul Cornforth, 25, of Thornbury Rise in Darlington, died yesterday afternoon following a collision on the A167 at Dalton-on-Tees.

It is believed Mr Cornforth was riding a blue Suzuki motorbike when he collided with a blue Suzuki car heading towards Darlington at 12.15pm.

He was taken to The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, where he died during the afternoon.

The coroner has been informed and an inquest has been opened and adjourned until a later date.

Anyone who saw the accident or any of the vehicles involved before the collision has been asked to call Detective Constable Martin Usher, at North Yorkshire Police, on 0845-60-60-247.