A 16-year-old died after crashing into a lampost on a moped last night.

The rider, who is yet to be identified by police, collided with a lampost shortly before 6.33pm.

Police were called to the collision, outside the Plough Inn pub just off the A19 in Hutton Henry, County Durham.

The boy was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries, but he was certified dead on arrival at North Tees Hospital in Stockton-on-Tees.

A County Durham police spokesman said: "At this time police are not releasing further details until all of the family have been informed."

The C22 road was closed between 6.35pm and 9.36pm while officers investigated.

The investigating officer, Sergeant Grieve of Durham police is appealing for witnesses. He can be contacted on 0345 6060 365.