A MOTORCYCLIST who died when his bike was involved in a head-on collision at an accident blackspot, earlier this week, has been named by police.

Michael John Ansell, from Shildon, County Durham died on Tuesday morning in an accident on the A68 in Northumberland.

The 30-year-old, from Freville Street, was driving his Honda motorbike when it was involved in a crash at the Kiln Pit Hill crossroads, about three miles north of Castleside, County Durham.

At about 7.30am, Mr Ansell's Honda was overtaking a Volkswagen Bora travelling north on the country road when it collided head on with a Fiat, which was turning right at the junction.

The driver of the Fiat, a 22-year-old Newcastle man, was treated for whiplash injuries.

The road was closed for more than four hours after the accident. Witnesses are asked to ring Northumbria Police's motor patrols unit, at Hexham, on (01661) 872555.