MOTORISTS faced nightmare journeys on the A64 in North Yorkshire after it was hit by three separate accidents in about three hours.

As the busy Bank Holiday weekend began this afternoon, three vehicles were involved in a crash on the road at Barton Hill in Ryedale, closing the westbound carriageway towards York.

Then the eastbound dual carriageway at Bilbrough Top, between York and Tadcaster, was partially blocked by a crash involving three cars and a lorry, causing congestion as far back as the A1.

After these accidents were cleared up, the eastbound carriageway was completely blocked at Tadcaster by a third accident at teatime involving three cars.

Police said it was not believed anyone suffered serious injuries, while North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said two children in the rear of a car were given first aid. Traffic was diverted through Tadcaster until one lane of the dual carriageway was able to re-open at 7.15pm.