A MOTORCYCLIST from the Earby area was killed instantly today in an accident with a milk delivery pick-up vehicle.

Police said the Suzuki rider was travelling to work towards Colne when the accident occurred on the A56 between Foulridge and Kelbrook.

The road was closed for the rest of the morning causing widspread Traffic chaos.

Traffic was snarled up for miles in both directions and vehicles were diverted on to the moorland roads which also became heavily congested. Traffic from the Skipton direction was also diverted onto the A59 towards Clitheroe.

The accident happened at 7.37am near to New Hague Cottages on the road between the Old Stone Trough Inn at Kelbrook and Foulridge. Police were waiting until the man's relatives had been informed before releasing his name. One resident said: "I didn't hear the accident, I was woken up by the ambulances arriving.''

Another said: "What woke me was that there was no sound of passing traffic. It is a very busy road but everything went quiet.''

Another neighbour added: "I know the accident involved a motor cycle which was travelling towards Colne and a milk pick-up vehicle which also delivers papers.''

A police spokesman said traffic was diverted over the top roads up by the Fanny Grey pub and over Skipton Old Road.

They also became congested due to the heavy volume of vehicles.

The police air support unit was brought in from Blackpool to help officers.

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