A man received serious injuries when his car crashed on the A19 in North Yorkshire.

Police today appealed for witnesses to the accident, which happened at 5.30am yesterday.

A North Yorkshire police spokesman said the man, believed to be in his 20s, lost control of the vehicle as he drove southbound on the A19 near North Kilvington, two miles north of Thirsk.

His white Ford Sierra collided with a road sign and a fence before coming to rest in a field. No other vehicles are thought to be involved.

The man, who has not been named, was cut free from the vehicle by firefighters and taken to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

Witnesses to the crash, or anyone who saw the car travelling down from Middlesbrough on the A19 are asked to contact TC Andy Langford on 01609 783131.