A MOTORCYCLIST has died and a van driver has been arrested following an accident in south west Durham last night. Police are appealing for witnesses to the accident which took place in Newton Aycliffe and have named the biker as Terence Stockhill, 65, from Ford Terrace, Chilton, both County Durham.

It happened just after 6.15pm when Mr Stockhill was riding his blue Honda revere bike travelling north on the A176 towards Chilton.

A Ford transit which had been parked in a lay-by about 500 meters south of the Central Avenue turn off carried out a u-turn.

As it did so the vehicle collided with Mr Stockhill's Honda as he was riding past.

He was taken to the James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, but was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival The driver of the van, a 47-year-old from, and his passenger, a 24-year-old man, both from Lincolnshire, were uninjured.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and he is currently in custody at Spennymoor police station.

Officers from Durham Police's collision investigation unit are asking anyone who saw the incident or anyone who saw the blue Honda on the A167 to contact 0191-3752159.