A TEENAGE motorcyclist has died and his brother has been seriously injured after their bike was involved in an accident with a car.

He was named yesterday as Karl Allison, 16, of Stanhope Gardens, Annfield Plain, near Stanley, County Durham.

He died after a collision at about 10pm on Thursday at the main crossroads in Sacriston, near Durham.

His 17-year-old brother was seriously injured and has had surgery for leg and head injuries. His condition is not life-threatening.

It is believed the brothers had met up at a friend's party earlier in the evening and were making their way back home when the accident happened.

Their motorbike, which was heading south along Durham Road, was in collision with a Ford Fiesta, which was heading north.

Karl was pronounced dead at the University Hospital of North Durham at 10.40pm on Thursday.

The car driver, a 47-year-old woman from Langley Park, County Durham, suffered shock but was uninjured.

The road was closed for two hours while accident investigators tried to establish what had happened. Karl's Reiju 50cc bike was taken away for examination.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Anyone with information is asked to call Durham's accident investigation unit on 0191-375 2159.