TWO motorcyclists have been killed and one seriously injured in separate road collisions in Shropshire.

A 48-year-old man died in hospital after his motorcycle and a car collided on the A488 between Shrewsbury and Bishop’s Castle on Sunday.

His black Aprilia motorcycle was travelling north towards Shrewsbury when it collided with a blue Citroen Xantia 1.9 travelling in the opposite direction just before 1pm between Lydham and the turning for Churchstoke where the road splits from the A489.

The man was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital with serious injuries where he later died.

Twenty minutes earlier, a 53-year-old motorcyclist was involved in a collision with another motorcycle near Ludlow on the A4117 at Henley.

The man who died was riding a bronze coloured Honda involved in a collision with a black Kawasaki motorcycle travelling in the opposite direction.

The Kawasaki rider was taken to hospital with suspected spinal, shoulder and head injuries.

Police are investigating the circumstances of both crashes and have appealed for witnesses.

A spokesman for West Mercia Police said: “We are anxious to hear from anyone who either saw the collisions or the circumstances leading up to them.”

The coroner for south Shropshire, Mr Anthony Sibcy, has been informed and post-mortem examinations followed by inquest openings will be held in due course.

Anyone with information can call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000.