An elderly spectator died after he was struck by a rider at a motorcycle trials event yesterday.

Police said the 79-year-old man was hit by a competitor who left the track at Thorp Perrow, near Bedale, North Yorkshire.

The dead man, who was from the Boroughbridge area, was taken by air ambulance to the Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, but later died.

Police sealed off the area where the accident occurred at about 11.30am and the rally was stopped.

The motorcyclist who left the track sustained minor injuries, but suffered shock and police had still not interviewed him last night.

Sergeant John Landers, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "At approximately 11.30am a 79-year-old man was a spectator at a motorcycle trials event when he was seriously injured when a motorcycle left the track and collided with him.

''The air ambulance attended the scene and he was taken to the Friarage Hospital, in Northallerton, where he subsequently died at 4.30pm. The rider of the motorcycle received minor injuries.''

Police said the event was an off-road competition organised by the Northern Enduro Club, which was licensed by the Auto Cycle Union.

Sgt Landers said: "We are trying to trace anyone who witnessed the incident.

"If anyone was filming the event, or was taking photographs, they could be vital. However, we need to speak to anyone at all who saw the accident."

According to the Auto Cycle Union website, Enduro events can happen anywhere in the country. Enduro bikes are similar to traditional motor-cross bikes, but have lights and number plates because they have to be road-legal.

Witnesses are asked to contact Sergeant Ron Allan, at Stokesley Police Station, on (01723) 509555.