An off-road motorcyclist has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after a collision with a car in a County Durham village. 

The incident, which occurred at the crossroads of Sunderland Road and West Lane in Hawthorn, County Durham at around 4.20pm, involved a green off-road motorbike and a Skoda Fabia.

It is believed the bike was travelling northbound, overtaking vehicles before it collided with the Fabia which was turning right onto West Lane.

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The rider of the motorbike was taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, with serious injuries.

Officers from Durham Police are appealing for information following the serious road traffic collision.

The police force are looking to speak to anyone who may have seen the bike in the area at the time, as well as the riders of several other bikes which were believed to be travelling with it but did not stop.

Anyone with information should call 101, quoting incident reference number 296 of August 15, or email PC Aaron O’Roarty at aaron.o’roarty@durham.police.uk.