MOTORISTS passing through a quiet village at the weekend were given a stark warning about the dangers of countryside roads.

Drivers travelling through Middlestone, near Spennymoor, on Friday night were greeted by villager Norman Strongman dressed as the Grim Reaper.

Mr Strongman donned the outfit in a desperate plea to remind drivers to slow down while using the hazardous route through the village.

As a resident of Middlestone for 14 years, the 49-year-old has seen a host of minor bumps and cars leaving the road as they attempt to negotiate the uneven route.

In the past three years there have been three serious crashes. A 30mph speed limit has been introduced but a recent accident prompted Mr Strongman to hold his demonstration.