A TRACTOR driver and a car driver have been arrested in connection with road accidents near Selby in which three bikers died, police said today.

North Yorkshire Police spokesman Tony Lidgate said both men had been arrested had been bailed pending further inquiries.

Police also released the names of the victims today.

The biker who died on the A63 between Hambleton and Monk Fryston, at soon after 6pm on Sunday, was Roger Prime, 36, of Brigg Farm Court, Camblesforth. He was a single man and a carpenter by trade.

He was in collision with a silver Vauxhall Astra at the junction of the A63 and Gateforth Lane.

The arrested Astra driver is understood to be from Hambleton and suffered minor injuries.

The man and woman killed in the second accident, on the A19 at Balne crossroads, just south of Whitley Bridge, were Scott Shillito, 33, and his girlfriend, Joanne Shinn, 23, both from Doncaster.

It is believed that Mr Shillito and pillion passenger Miss Shinn were on their way to Squire's Caf Bar at Newthorpe, near Sherburn-in-Elmet, where hundreds of bikers gather every Sunday.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene, as was Mr Prime.

Mr Shillito and Miss Shinn were travelling north on the A19 towards Selby when they collided with a tractor.

The tractor driver who was arrested was treated in hospital for severe shock.

The parents of the A19 victims met at the scene of the crash yesterday to lay flowers before identifying their loved ones at York Hospital.

Mr Shillito's father, John, 56, said today: "It was a very emotional moment when we all met at the scene and we all broke down in tears.

"John was a smashing lad and a wonderful son. He was so easy going and nobody had a bad word to say about him.

"His Honda motorbike was his pride and joy. He was always cleaning and polishing it."

Police are appealing for witness to both accidents and are particularly keen to speak to the elderly male driver of a green car, seen in the vicinity of the A63 accident.

There were two women passengers in the green car and police say they are confident they would have seen the crash.

Anyone with information should phone the police on 01609 783131.

Updated: 12:04 Tuesday, July 22, 2003