A MOTORCYCLIST has died after crashing on a country road.

The man, who has not been named but is believed to be a father from Nelson, lost control on a bend and hit a dry stone wall near the Moorcock Inn, Gisburn Road, Blacko, at 2pm on Monday.

Police said he was thrown from the bike, a green Kawasaki ZX6, suffering serious chest and stomach injuries, but was conscious and talking at the scene and his injuries were not initially thought to be life-threatening.

But police said he died overnight in Burnley General Hospital.

The road is notorious for crashes and councillors have called for speed calming measures to be implemented.

In July a motorist escaped with minor injuries after her car crashed into a wall near to the Greystones public house.

And in 2001 a 42-year-old motorcyclist died instantly in a crash involving a bus and car, also near the Moorcock Inn and in the same year a 55-year-old man was killed after his Fiat Uno skidded and collided with a Land Rover Defender.

Coun Shelagh Derwent said the road was a well know accident spot with a number of dangerous bends.

She said: "The road is well known for being dangerous and there is a bad bend around that corner.

"We have had various motorcycle accidents along there but the county council has done some work to improve it.

"That road is 60 miles per hour and on some of those bends that is too fast.

"I think speed reductions on those bends would be a good idea.

"And there is always speed camera's but there is no electricity in that area so I don't know how they would work.