A man has died after the car he was driving crashed into a road sign this morning.

His male passenger was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton with chest injuries which are not thought to be life threatening.

The accident happened on the A689 road between Sedgefield and Billingham near the Wynyard village turn-off at about 6.30am.

The dead man has not yet been formally identified but a post mortem is due to take place this afternoon. The surviving passenger is from the Stockton area.

The driver's white MX 3 sports car burst into flames and completely disintegrated after the accident. No other cars were thought to be involved and police sealed off the road for the whole morning.

Any witnesses or anyone with any information is asked to call police sergeant Paul Hunter on (01642) 301558.