A MAN from Padiham is critically ill after a motorcycle crash in North Yorkshire.

The 35-year-old, who has not been named by police, was travelling down the A661 near Spofforth, Harrogate, at around 9am on Sunday when it is believed he lost control of the bike and collided with a road sign.

He was travelling on an 850cc Yamaha bike with five other riders.

The rider was taken by air ambulance to Harrogate General Hospital, suffering from multiple injuries.

He was later transferred to Leeds General Infirmary, where he is said to be critically ill but stable.

The crash was one of several motorbike accidents in North Yorkshire over the bank holiday weekend.

A 62-year-old man died after colliding with a car near York on Sunday and another man was killed in after a crash near Selby on Monday.

Three other riders were seriously injured in a crash near Hellifield.

Police have warned motorcyclists to stay safe on the roads, calling the number of accidents "unacceptable."

Adam Briggs, the Deputy Chief Constable of North Yorkshire police said: "The bank holiday weekend has been marred by the number of casualties on our roads.

"Two people have lost their lives and several others have been seriously injured, bringing grief and tragedy to themselves and their loved ones.

"We will continue with our tough road safety enforcement campaign, but drivers and riders must take responsibility for their actions if these appalling statistics are to be reversed."