AN OFF-duty police officer died after his motorbike was involved in an accident with a car on Saturday afternoon.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash which happened on the A593 at Woodlands near Broughton-in-Furness at around 2.45pm.

PC John Andrew Hall, 52, of Barrow, who was riding a Honda VFR 800 motorcycle, died from injuries sustained in the accident.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta car, Judith Ward, 39, from Bootle, near Millom, and her husband Michael Ward, who was a passenger, were treated for shock.

The road was closed for around four hours following the accident.

Supt Colin Mather of Cumbria police said: "Our thoughts go out to John's family at this difficult time.

"He was a well-respected officer who was committed to policing and serving the people of Barrow throughout his long career with Cumbria constabulary."

Mr Hall was married with two grown-up daughters.