TWO bikers were seriously hurt after their motorcycles collided on a notorious stretch of road yesterday afternoon.

The accident happened shortly after 1pm on the B1257 Stokesley to Helmsley Road, two miles south of The Sun public house, at Chop Gate, North Yorkshire.

A 53-year-old man suffered head, shoulder and chest injuries and a 48-year-old man suffered head, chest and leg injuries.

Police are investigating the accident and closed the road for more than four hours while they conducted their inquiries.

The B1257 is a popular route among bikers. Campaign group, Bilsdale Against Noise and Danger is calling for a 50mph speed limit on the road.

In Scarborough, two motorcyclists received minor injuries when their bikes collided near Dean's Garden Centre, in Seamer Road, just before 11am.

On Sunday, a female motorcyclist died after her bike left the road.

The woman was riding with six other bikers on the A162 Tadcaster Road, Sherburn in Elmet, North Yorkshire when the bike mounted a verge near to the Scarthingwell Golf Course, at 4.30pm.

She was pronounced dead at the scene. Any witnesses are asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 0845 6060247.

On Friday, North Yorkshire Police announced that their county-wide operation to cut the number of bikers killed and seriously injured was being adopted by forces in Durham, Cleveland, and across the rest of Yorkshire.

The operation involves high-profile patrols and fast tracking offenders through the courts.