A PEDESTRIAN died after stepping into the path of an oncoming vehicle last night.

Julia Sellars, 35, of Vaughan Street in the North Road area of Darlington, was struck by a vehicle at about 10.10pm.

The sole occupant of the Audi A3 car, a male from the Stockton, was not injured in the incident, which happened on Burtree Lane, a mile east of its junction with the A68.

A spokesman for Durham police said: "The Audi was negotiating a long, sweeping, right-hand bend when Mrs Sellars stepped from the grass verge into the road and into the path of the oncoming vehicle."

The road was closed for about three-and-half hours as a result of the accident.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to call the accident unit on 0191-3752159 or the non-emergency number on 0345-60-60-365.