GWENT Police are appealing for witnesses to a road traffic accident which claimed the life of a young motorcyclist at the weekend.

The 22-year-old, said to be from the Cwmbran area, was riding a purple Suzuki motorcycle between Usk and Gwehelog when it was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Passat on Saturday afternoon.

The place where it happened, known locally as the Old Monmouth Road, was blocked while emergency services attended at around 2.05pm.

The motorcyclist was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, where he was pronounced dead.

A bunch of flowers were placed at the scene yesterday.

On the card, addressed to 'Dan', from John, was a poem entitled 'Friendship'.

Part of it read: "Your friendship is a special gift that I treasure every day and I hope you know I value it, more than words can say."

Residents living nearby said they heard the air ambulance hovering nearby and saw the road, which has several 'Think Bike' signs along it, blocked off by police cars for several hours.

Local resident Mark Edwards was returning from a shopping trip when he asked officers what had happened.

The 59-year-old said bikers from the Abergavenny area regularly use the road, which has several bends.

"It's a dreadful accident," he said.

At the time the Argus went to press, the identity of the dead biker had not been released.

Anyone who witnessed the accident or stopped to offer assistance is asked to contact the Gwent Police Collision Investigation Unit on 01633 6424104.