DRIVERS experienced serious delays on the A1 today after an accident left two workmen dead.

The men had been on the back of a lorry which was carrying out road management work between Leeming and Catterick, when it was struck by an articulated truck at about 1am.

The accident killed one man immediately. Another died in the operating theatre of Northallerton's Friarage Hospital.

Both men were from Sunderland, although police have not yet released their names.

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "We need to organise recovery of the vehicles, but the scene needs to be assessed first."

Diversions took rush hour traffic through Northallerton and Darlington.

Witnesses who saw the road works being carried out, or who saw the articulated truck, are being urged to contact police on 01609 783131.