TWO teenagers who had been inseparable for much of their lives died side by side in an horrific road smash.

Best friends Kane Ryland Edward Banner and Ryan Fairley were killed instantly when the car they were in swerved out of control and hit a tree on Sunday night.

Kane, 17, had been driving his Ford Fiesta on the outskirts of Durham City when he failed to take a left-hand bend, left the road and hit a substantial tree.

His 18-year-old best friend Ryan was a front-seat passenger in the car.

Both were certified dead at the scene of the accident, near the Cock of the North pub on the A167.

The road was blocked for more than five hours while officers examined the scene.

Kane lived with his mother, Denise, and nine-year-old brother Nathan in Douglas Crescent, Auckland Park, Bishop Auckland.

He had passed his driving test soon after his 17th birthday in March and the Fiesta, which he bought just a few weeks ago, was said to be his pride and joy.

Ryan had been living with his grandparents in Middlestone Moor, near Spennymoor.

Mother Katherine lives in Bishop Middleham and his father Stephen, lives in Surrey.

Mrs Fairley said of the pair, who had known each other for nine years: "They were always together - never apart. They were friends to the end."

Old classmates at the pair's former school, St John's RC Comprehensive School, in Bishop Auckland, held a mass in their memory.

Headteacher Gerard Moran said: "We were very sad and shocked to hear the news that Kane and Ryan have lost their lives. We have said prayers for them and their families are in all our thoughts and prayers."

Both had left the school at 16. Ryan was an apprentice tyre fitter at Spennymoor and Kane an apprentice dry-liner with a Billingham firm.

An investigation is under way into the crash and traffic police are urging anyone who witnessed the incident or saw the car or the victims in the hours before it happened to get in touch.

They are appealing for the driver of a Vauxhall Astra, believed to be blue, to come forward.

PC Mal Thomas, of the accident investigation unit, said: "We believe the driver of this car may be able to give us information that will help us understand exactly what happened."

Anyone with information is asked to contact the accident investigation team on (0191) 375 2159.

An inquest was due to be opened at Chester-le-Street magistrates court on Tuesday afternoon.