A CROSS Hills man was one of two motorcyclists killed at the weekend following an accident on the A684 Thwaite Bridge, near Hawes.

Patrick Hardy, 35, of Campbell Street, was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 2pm on Sunday.

The other motorcyclist who died has been named a John Dennis George, 51, of Skelmersdale. They were both in collision with a Toyota car, driven by an Ilkley woman.

Their deaths have sparked a stark warning from North Yorkshire Police Chief Inspector David Short about the potential dangers some bike riders subject themselves to when riding in the Dales.

Already this year five motorcyclists have been killed and 23 seriously injured on the county's roads.

Chief Insp Short is co-ordinator of the Bike Safe 2000 campaign.

"The message to motorcyclists is know your machine, its capabilities and most of all your own," he said. "Ride within the speed limits, get some advanced training, don't become another road victim."

* Mr Hardy's funeral will take place at St Thomas' Church, Sutton, on Tuesday at 11am.

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