TWO motorcyclists have been killed in separate accidents in North Yorkshire.

A Scarborough man in his late 30s died on the A171 between Whitby and Scarborough at about 5.45 pm yesterday when his motorbike collided with a black Citroen car.

The accident happened near the Flask Inn, in the Cloughton area.

Police with dogs launched a search for the occupants of the Citroen, who departed on foot into the adjacent Harwood Dale Forest after the crash.

A 37-year-old man from the Cleveland area was located and arrested at 9.30pm, and taken into custody for questioning.

A 32-year-old man from Scarborough was also arrested at his home address at 1.50am today in connection with the investigation, and both men remain in custody for questioning.

The road was closed until midnight to allow for the vehicles to be recovered and officers to investigate.

Another motorcyclist in his late 30s, from the Fife area of Scotland, died when his Ducati motorbike collided wth a silver Ford Focus car on the A65 Clapham bypass at about 2.20pm yesterday.

Witnesses to either accident should call police on 101.