A CYCLIST has been killed in a collision on the A35 near Charmouth.

Police closed the road following the fatal collision between the cyclist, a 43-year-old visitor to the area, and a car.

Officers have now issued an appeal for witnesses, urging anyone with information about the collision this afternoon to get in contact.

A Dorset Police spokesman said: “Police are appealing for witnesses to a fatal road traffic collision which occurred on the A35 near to Charmouth at about 3.30pm.

“At this stage it is believed that a 43-year-old male cyclist, who was a visitor to the area, was hit from the rear by an 83-year-old male driver in his small silver hatchback motor vehicle whilst travelling up the hill westbound away from the Charmouth roundabout.

“The cyclist suffered fatal injuries as a result of the collision and the male driver was uninjured but is helping police with their investigations.

“Police would like to hear from any witnesses to the collision or to seeing either the cyclist or the male driver prior to the collision.”

The road was closed between the B3165 at Raymond’s Hill and the Charmouth roundabout with diversions put in place while officers investigated the scene.

The route was reopened at around 9.15pm last night.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 02:300.