It happened at the junction of the B5063 and B4397 at about 4.30am this morning.

The rider of the black Kymco Pulsar motorcycle lost control and came to rest in a ditch. It is not thought any other vehicles were involved.

The rider, a 20-year-old man from the Ellesmere area, was taken to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire with chest and spinal injuries. His injuries are believed to be serious but not life-threatening.

Sergeant Alex Saxton of West Mercia Police said: “As with all fatal and serious injury collisions, a full investigation is underway.

“Although the crash happened early in the morning when the roads would have been very quiet, we hope someone may have witnessed it and will be able to provide information which will help us piece together what happened.”

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Sergeant Saxton on the non-emergency number 0300 333 3000 quoting incident 82-s-290813.