A MOTORCYCLIST has died in a road accident which closed both lanes of a busy main road for almost six hours.

Paul John Stead, 36, of Lilac Avenue, York, collided with a car at the Towthorpe junction of the A64 yesterday.

The accident took place at about 5.30pm, outside the Four Alls Inn, in Malton Road, just outside the city.

Police said the motorcyclist, who was riding a Kawasaki ZX7 750cc Ninja machine, collided with a Volkswagen Polo, which was turning into the pub.

Traffic officers closed a mile-and-a-half stretch of the A64 for nearly six hours as investigators examined the accident scene.

Diversions were put in place from the Hopgrove roundabout to Flaxton Lane, but heavy queues still delayed rush-hour motorists.

Sergeant Mick Chrome said: "A green Volkswagen Polo was turning right into the pub.

"A grey Peugeot saloon was behind that. The motorcyclist came down the side and collided with the Polo."

The driver of the Polo, 24-year-old Abigail Dunne, from Wigginton, suffered severe shock.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is being asked to contact police on (01904) 631321.