A 55-YEAR-OLD man has died after his bicycle was in collision with a car on the Dorchester bypass.

Police said the man's bicycle was in collision with a Ford Fiesta driven by a 75-year-old woman.

The man who died and the car driver are both from the Dorchester area.

The crash happened on the A37 section of the Dorchester bypass between Monkeys Jump roundabout and the Weirs roundabout near Charminster around 2.10pm.

The A37 has been closed both ways throughout the afternoon while the incident is investigated.

Sergeant Joe Pardey said at the scene: "This is a fatal crash involving a pedal cycle and a car.

"The white pedal cycle was ridden by a 55-year-old man from the Dorchester area, who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

"He was struck by a grey Ford Fiesta being driven by a 75-year-old woman from the Dorchester area.

"She suffered no injuries. We believe that both were travelling towards Monkeys Jump roundabout.

"The next of kin have been informed as to the circumstances.

"We expect the road to be closed for about another hour and urge motorists to avoid the area.

"We are appealing to any witnesses who saw the pedal cycle or car prior to the accident.

"They should call 101 and ask for PC Mark Farrow, the officer in charge of the case."

Police said they received a call at 2.12pm to the incident, which occurred 300 yards down the A37 towards Weirs roundabout.

At least four police cars, an ambulance and a paramedic fast response car are at the scene. The air ambulance landed near the fire station building at Poundbury.

Dorchester police said: "Please find an alternative route as road closures are currently in place."

It is understood the collision occured on a bend.

Reporter Liz Jackson is at the scene and says she can see a grey Ford car with the driver's side of the windscreen smashed, as well as a red Smart car, and a G Crook and Sons tipper-type lorry.

A silver bike is lying in the middle of the road on its side.

The air ambulance flew off at about 3.10pm.

We have been told the aircraft did not take anyone to hospital.

There are more than a dozen police officers at the scene and one of them has been taking photographs as part of the collision investigation.