A man has died after his car left the road while being pursued by police officers in the early hours of this morning.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was travelling in a green Rover along the A4095 at North Leigh, near Witney, in west Oxfordshire, when officers attempted to stop him at about 12.15am.

The car failed to stop and continued along the A4095 towards Long Hanborough from Witney.

Police officers followed, but within minutes lost sight of the car, which they found further along the road in a ditch, with the man trapped inside.

Paramedics and fire crews from Witney were called to assist police in a rescue operation. But the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

No-one else was travelling in the vehicle.

North Leigh resident and district council leader Barry Norton said: "There have been a number of vehicles come off the road along that stretch in the past and usually during the night. This is why the 50 mph speed limit was introduced, but people are always going faster than that."

The road had to be closed while police carried out an investigation an the wreckage was removed. It was reopened at about 6.20am.

Officers from Thames Valley Police's traffic unit investigating the crash and the circumstances of the police involvement.

They are appealing for anyone who saw the Rover leave the road or saw the vehicle before the incident to contact them.

Anyone with information should call Sgt Jack Hawkins of the Bicester traffic unit, on 08458 505505, or the confidential Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

The Independent Police Compaints Commission is now going to assess whether or not to investigate the accident.

Any incident where there is any form of police involvement and a death occurs, the police force involved has to automatically refer it to the IPCC.