A 54-year-old motorcyclist died this afternoon after losing control of his vehicle at a notorious danger road just outside Burnley.

Police said the man was travelling along the A646 Burnley Road, Cliviger, towards Burnley, when he lost control of his Honda motorcycle and crashed at around 4.45pm.

Following the incident, the man, who was from the Rawtenstall area, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital by the North West Air Ambulance, but died shortly after arriving.

The road was closed for two-and-a-half hours.

The crash is the latest fatal on the stretch beween Burnley and Todmorden - a favourite with Lancashire bikers.

It follows the deaths of two other motorcyclists in the past three years.

Less than a month ago campaigners were celebrating after Lancashire County Council revealed that traffic lights installed as part of work to repair the Windy Railway Bridge were to remain in place permanently.

The permanent traffic signals control alternate one-way traffic across the bridge and reduce the speed limit from 60mph to 40mph.

Police said the man would most likely be named tomorrow.

A spokesman said: “The motorcyclist lost control of the vehicle somehow and then crashed.

"He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital by air ambulance but died a short time after arriving there.

"His next of kin are being informed.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call 01282 472431 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.