TRAFFIC police today appealed for witnesses after a teenager was killed when he lost control of his car and hit a tree.

Thomas Carr, 19, of Dockmire Farm, in Chapel Street, Slaidburn, was travelling along Settle Road towards Clitheroe when the accident happened about three miles north of the Copy Nook Hotel about 3.20am yesterday

Police said Thomas, who works at Clitheroe-based firm Alpe's, was thrown out of his Land Rover Discovery after losing control of the vehicle on a left-hand bend and colliding with a tree.

He was thrown on to the road and the Land Rover spun round before stopping on the nearside of the road.

Thomas, a former pupil at Bowland High School, suffered multiple injuries and died instantly.

He was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary by the North Yorkshire Air Ambulance. No other vehicles were involved.

Today villagers in Slaidburn said they were deeply saddened by the news and one woman, who did not want to be named, said: "I've known him since he was a toddler. He was a super lad. I just can't believe it.

"This has stunned the whole village. It is so sad, especially as he was so young."

The road was closed for two hours while investigators cleared the wreckage.

A police spokesman said: "The vehicle was travelling towards Clitheroe when it appears the driver has lost control on a left-hand bend and collided with trees on the offside.

"The driver was thrown out of the vehicle on to the road and the vehicle has spun around before coming to rest on the nearside.

"The casualty suffered multiple injuries, which proved fatal. We do not know how long he was there as we have only one witness who came across the scene of the incident.

"Would anyone who witnessed the accident or who has any information about it please contact us?"

Anyone with information about the accident should telephone the road traffic policing unit on 01254 353764.