POLICE are hunting a motorcyclist involved in a hit-and-run accident on a notorious stretch of road.

A 66-year-old biker from Riccall, near York, died when his bike was involved in an accident with another motorbike at about 4.50pm on Saturday.

The B1257 Helmsley to Stokesley road, in North Yorkshire, has been dubbed the Helmsley TT because of the large number of bikers who have died on it through Bilsdale.

The victim, who has not yet been named, was with two other motorcyclists travelling towards Stokesley, near the village of Chop Gate.

The three had been overtaking a Volkswagen car and were returning to their side of the road when another motorcyclist travelling towards Helmsley hit one of them and failed to stop.

Doctors from the Great North Air Ambulance pronounced the man dead at the scene.

As a result, another rider was involved in an accident with a blue Volkswagen car and was taken to Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital with injuries that are serious, but not thought to be life-threatening.

The biker who did not stop was riding a red sports-type machine and wore a dark blue or black helmet.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the accident or the motorcyclists before the accident.

A spokesman said: "We are particularly keen to talk to any person who may have seen the motorcycle travelling towards Helmsley either at, or prior to, the scene.

"There is a possibility that the vehicle which did not stop at the scene is damaged, so police are appealing for any motorcycle repair dealers who may have had a red sports bike with significant damage to come forward."

People are asked to call (01723) 509555. The road was closed for more than seven hours while police carried out investigations.

The stretch of road through the North York Moors has been the scene of several accidents, and the campaign group Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger has been set up to lobby for a reduced speed limit and speed cameras on the road.

Earlier this month, two bikers were badly hurt when their bikes collided close to where this weekend's accident took place.

In September, a Middlesbrough biker died after a head-on collision with a car.

An inquest into the man's death is expected to be opened this week.