A 49-year-old man was killed in a crash between a motorbike and a car near Kingston Lacy this morning.

The Honda was in collision with a Peugeot car, driven by a 64-year-old woman from Gillingham at just after 9.20am.

Despite the best efforts of emergency services, the rider of the motorcycle, who is from Shaftesbury, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Next of kin have been informed and the coroner has been notified.

The road was closed for most of the day to allow a collision investigation to take place. It reopened just after 3.30pm.

Police Constable Dave Cotterill, of Dorset Polices Traffic Unit, said: “The Honda motorcycle was in the company of two other motorcycles prior to the collision.

“I would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed the incident or may have seen the manner of riding of the motorcycles or the driving of the Peugeot prior to the collision taking place to contact us.”

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 29:127. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.