A motorcyclist has died in a crash which closed a major East Lancashire road for several hours.

On Sunday afternoon emergency services were called to the A59 close to Whalley. 

Reports had been made that a motorcyclist had crashed his bike between the Bramley Mead and Petre Roundabouts.

Further details stated a man riding a Kawasaki motorbike had been travelling from Clitheroe towards Langho with another rider when he came off the carriageway and collided with a tree.

The man, aged 56 and from Liverpool, suffered serious injuries and was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. The other rider was not injured.

A spokesperson for the police said: "We were called at around 2.05pm on Sunday, June 6 to reports a motorcyclist had come off his bike on the A59, between Blackburn and Whalley.

"Emergency services attended and the man, aged in his 50s, was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

"Enquiries are ongoing but at this time we do not believe any other vehicles were involved."

The A59 was closed for five hours following the smash and officers were urging motorists to try and avoid the area and take care when travelling.

A spokesperson for the police said: "We have had to close the A59 between Longholm and Whalley due to a road traffic collision.

"Please be aware when travelling and try to avoid the area. We will update accordingly once reopened, thank you."

Police are now appealing for witnesses and dashboard mounted camera footage following the fatal collision.

Sgt Laura Kendall, of Lancashire Police’s Tactical Operations, said: “These are very sad and tragic circumstances and my thoughts are with the rider and his family at this time.

“We are appealing to anyone who saw the collision, or may have dashcam footage showing what happened, to come forward.

“If you can assist our enquiries please call 101 quoting log 0826 of June 6.”

Anybody who saw the incident, or saw the bike in the moments before the collision occurred, is asked to call police on 101, quoting log 826 of June 6.