A 61-YEAR-OLD man from North Yorkshire has been killed after his car hit a tree.

The crash happened at about 8.25am yesterday as a black Vauxhall Meriva was heading along the B1263 near East Cowton, in the Northallerton area, towards the A167.

The car left the road and hit a tree, with the driver, from the Richmond area, being pronounced dead at the scene. He has not yet been named.

Anybody who saw the crash or the car before it happened should phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option two and ask for Traffic Constable Reece Williams of the force's roads policing group. Information can also be e-mailed to reece.williams@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk