Tributes have been paid by several top racers to a motocross rider who was killed riding in an event near Sedgefield in County Durham.

Although police have not yet named the man, the news spread on social media and riders like former British champion Brad Anderson, who knew him, paid tributes.

The rider crashed on Sunday at around 1pm and was air-lifted to hospital by the Great North Air Ambulance but was confirmed dead shortly after arrival.

Around an hour later, a female rider thought to be in her early thirties, was also taken by air ambulance to the same hospital after crashing in a separate incident, with what are believed to be serious injuries.

Police were forced to close down the event on land next to Low Hardwick Farm.

Supt Mick Bird said: “We understand the formal investigation is likely to be led by the local authority but we are carrying out initial inquiries into the circumstances.

“With two very serious incidents within little more than an hour, we felt there was little choice but to bring the event to a close.”

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of both riders.