POLICE are appealing for witnesses following a head-of smash that left a female motorcyclist fighting for her life.

The accident happened on the B1257 at Great Broughton at about 11.30am on Monday.

A Honda motorbike which was travelling south towards Helmsley, collided with a blue Fiat Punto travelling in the opposite direction.

The rider of the motorcycle, a 51-year-old woman from Loftus, was taken to James Cook Hospital in Middlesbrough where yesterday she was in a critical condition with internal and leg injuries.

She had been travelling with another motorcyclist and police would like to speak to anyone who saw the two bikes prior to the collision.

The driver of the car was uninjured in the collision.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to contact Traffic Constable Chris Dundon on 0845 6060 247.