A MOTORCYCLIST died following a crash in Wigan after he had earlier been pursued by police in St Helens town centre.

Police say they chased a motorcycle being used by David Dimelow, 20, after he allegedly failed to stop on Duke Street, St Helens at about 2.30am on Saturday, June 3.

According to a Greater Manchester Police statement, police from St Helens stopped following the vehicle a short time later and informed officers in Wigan as it headed for the border of the two towns.

Subsequently a GMP police car was stationed at the junction of Orrell Road and Moor Road, Wigan. Police say that as the motorcycle approached the junction it mounted the pavement and collided with a post.

Mr Dimelow, from Shevington, Wigan, was taken to hospital where he later died from his injuries. A GMP statement added that the motorcycle was not being pursued at the time of the collision.

An investigation into the death is now being managed by the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen the bike in St Helens or Wigan to contact them on 0161 856 7201 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.