A MOTORCYCLIST was killed in a collision with a car emerging on to a main road from a village junction, an inquest was told.

Graham Scott was certified dead at the scene of the accident, on the A177 Durham to Bowburn road, at its junction with Shincliffe Village High Street.

A post-mortem examination confirmed the 34-year-old forklift truck driver died from head and neck injuries.

The inquest, in Durham, was told that Mr Scott was a "highly experienced" rider, who was on his brother's Kawasaki Z 1,000cc on the afternoon of Sunday, March 4.

He was heading from Durham's Mountjoy roundabout to his home in Norton Avenue, Bowburn.

Witnesses described Mr Scott as riding at between 50 and 60mph on the 40mph limit road, overtaking several cars, but in a controlled manner.

Alison Raper was said to have emerged in her Ford Escort car "cautiously" from the High Street, near the Seven Stars pub, onto the A177, just ahead of Mr Scott as he overtook the front vehicle in a line of cars.

Witnesses said Mr Scott braked, but his back wheel locked and he collided with the Escort's nearside.

Mrs Raper, 49, of Quarrington Hill, near Durham, chose not to give evidence at the inquest, although copies of her police interview after the accident were distributed at the hearing.

Returning a verdict of "accidental death", North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle said it was not his job to apportion blame.

He said: "I'm content Graham was driving faster than he should have done, but I have not heard anything to say he was driving dangerously."