AN inquest has been opened into the death of an accounts manager who died in a road accident on Tuesday.

Simon Robert Hooper died after his Audi car was involved in a collision on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate.

Mr Hooper, 38, lived in Tamworth, Staffordshire, with his partner. None of his family were present at the Bishop Auckland hearing yesterday.

After reading out statements from Mr Hooper's sister Denise, South West Durham Coroner Colin Penna adjourned the inquest until police investigations into the accident had been completed.