North Yorkshire police have launched a witness appeal after a cyclist was found seriously injured yesterday on the Buttertubs Pass, which was used in last year's Tour de France.

Officers say the man, aged in his fifties and from Middlesbrough, was discovered lying in the road around three miles from Thwaite at 11.40am on Sunday 4 Ocotober.

He was taken to Middlesbrough's James Cook Hospital, where his condition is described as serious.

According to police the cyclist had been travelling between Hawes and Muker. He was riding a silver Canyon bike and wearing a white helmet fluorescent yellow t-shirt and dark shorts.

Police are trying to estbalish hwo he came to fall from his bike and have asked anyone who saw him beforehand, or saw what happened, to contac the major collision investigation unit on 101 or via email at MCIT@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk, quoting reference number 12150175659.