A DRIVER from Blackburn has died in a road crash in Scotland.

The 54-year-old lost control of his car in the A74M near to Kirkpatrick Fleming in Dumfries and Galloway on Wednesday night.

Police said a black BMW 730 veered off the road at about 10pm and smashed into a tree. The man died in the crash.

It is understood his family have been informed.

Police said there may have been debris on the road and want to identify a southbound vehicle which may have lost timber from its load between Junctions 19 and 21.

Sergeant Bob McNay said: "A full crash scene investigation has been carried out in order to determine the cause of this collision.

"Early reports received indicate that there may have been debris on the carriageway near to the scene of the collision.

"We want to hear from anyone who may have witnessed this collision, or who may have driven on the southbound carriageway near Kirkpatrick Fleming around the time of the collision.

"We also want to identify a southbound vehicle which may have lost a quantity of timber from its load between Junctions 19 (Ecclefechan) and 21 (Kirkpatrick Fleming) on Wednesday evening.

"Anyone with any information which might help us in this investigation is asked to call the Trunk Road Patrol Group at Lockerbie on the 101 number, and should quote the reference number 4056 of 24/10."