POLICE accident investigators are appealing for witnesses after a driver was left seriously injured when his car left a road, struck a tree and careered into a field.

The 22-year-old motorist was at the wheel of a yellow Peugeot 106 which was travelling northbound on Allensford Bank, on the A68, in north-west Durham, when the accident took place, last night.

Durham Police said, "for reasons yet to be established", after negotiating a right hand bend the car left the carriageway and collided with a large tree before coming to rest in a field.

The driver, from Brandon, near Durham, was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham, where he was treated in the intensive care unit, suffering serious injuries.

A police spokeswoman said he remained in intensive care early today, but his injuries are not considered life threatening.

The area around the accident site remained closed for around two hours for the debris to be cleared and to allow for on-scene inquiries.

It took place 200-metres south of the A68 junction with Pemberton Road, between Castleside and Allensford, north-west of Consett.

Witnesses are asked to ring the force’s collision investigation unit, on 0345-60 60 365.