POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 24-year-old cyclist from Darlington was killed in a collision with a HGV this morning.

The man was wearing fluorescent clothing and riding a black mountain bike on the westbound carriageway of the A68 near Burtree Gate, near Darlington, when the collision occurred.

He was declared dead at the scene.

The driver of the lorry, a 50-year-old man from Barnsley, has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and is helping police with their enquiries.

Sergeant Jon Curtis of Durham’s road policing unit said: “I am keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision to come forward.

“I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have seen the cyclist who was wearing fluorescent clothing, riding a black mountain bike and travelling westbound on the A68 immediately prior to the incident.”

The collision happened at 8am this morning.

Anyone with any information can contact police on 101 and ask for the collision investigation unit.