A man has died after his car crashed into a tree in the early hours of yesterday morning.

The 34-year-old's Nissan Qashqai is believed to have come off the road around 3am.

However, his vehicle was not discovered until shortly after 5am by a passing police patrol.

Officers say the car left the road near The Crossings Inn, at Roweltown, north of Carlisle, and collided with the tree.

Police described the Nissan as having "extensive damage".

"The driver was was found to be unresponsive and with multiple injuries," a spokesman for Cumbria Police said.

The North West Ambulance Service were also called to the scene.

Fire crews from Brampton and Longtown were needed to cut the man free from the vehicle. Firefighters remained in attendance for about one hour.

He was taken to Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary and pronounced dead a short while later.

Police have not released the man's identity but say he is from the Brampton.

An investigation into the crash has been launched and anyone with information should call police on 101.