AN inquest opens today into a road accident in which a 22-year-old man died.

Shaun James Brown, of Fence Houses, near Chester-le-Street, died when his Toyota MR2 car hit a bridge parapet and broke in two.

The accident happened at about 12.30am on Sunday, on the A1052, near the roundabout at Lumley Park Bridge, near Bournmoor.

North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle will open proceedings at Post Office House, Crook, County Durham.

A second inquest will open into the death last Friday of Paul Thomas Wood. The 38-year-old was found hanged in his garden shed in Crichton Avenue, Chester-le-Street.