THE motorist who died in a crash in North Yorkshire has been named as 90-year-old James Charles Hanwell.

Mr Hanwell was from Ampleforth, near Thirsk, when his blue Peugeot 306 collided with a blue Vauxhall Meriva on the A168 near Thornton le Street at about 9.35am on Monday, January 5.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Vauxhall - a woman from Northallerton - and her sons aged six and eight were all taken to James Cook Hospital.

A police spokeswoman said the children suffered minor injuries, but could not yet confirm the extent of the woman's injuries.

An inquest into Mr Hanwell's death has been opened and adjourned to a later date.

Anyone who saw the crash, or either of the vehicles prior to the incident, should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101.