A MOTORIST has died in a rush-hour accident on a busy trans-pennine route this morning.

The accident took place on the eastbound carriageway of the A66 near Bowes, County Durham at about 6.45am and involved a lorry and six other vehicles.

A male driver of one of the smaller vehicles was killed in the smash, which left debris strewn across both carriageways.

Police from County Durham and Cumbria and staff from the Highways Agency attended the scene and the road was closed in both directions between Bowes and Brough, in Cumbria.

The road was closed while emergency teams attended the scene but the route re-opened at 3pm.

The man who died in the accident has yet to be formally identified.