POLICE are investigating the circumstances of an accident in which a cyclist died after being struck by a car on a busy junction.

The man was involved in a collision with a black Kia Picanto at the junction of Mc- Mullen Road and the B6279 in Darlington at about 1pm.

The man, in his late 50s and from Darlington, died at the scene from head and chest injuries.

The Kia driver, a 23-year-old woman, was treated by paramedics for shock.

Two ambulances attended after receiving a call from the police at 1.06pm. The Great North Air Ambulance Service also responded, but left the scene shortly afterwards.

Police closed off a section of the B6279 east of the junction for about four hours while they carried out their investigations.

The busy road, which links Haughton Road with the A66, has a 40mph speed limit and a cycle path running along part of it, which is separated from the road by a grass verge.

Witnesses at the scene told The Northern Echo that the man was cycling across the road at the traffic lights when the accident happened.

Anyone who can help police with their inquiries is asked to call them on 101.