The accident happened in Burnley Road, about 6-40 p.m., near the village of Portsmouth and involved a Honda motorcycle and a Vauxhall Corsa.

The biker has been named as 36-year-old Jamie King, of Napier Street, who died in hospital shortly after the head-on crash. His wife, Jenny (36), who was a pillion passenger on the motorcycle, suffered serious leg injuries but her condition is not life threatening and she remains stable in hospital.

Jamie leaves two sons, aged four and 11.

The Corsa was driven by a 32-year-old woman from Todmorden. She suffered minor neck injuries and has since been released from hospital.

Sgt Tracey Ward from Colne Road Policing Unit said: "At this stage it would appear the motorcycle had been ridden through Todmorden towards Burnley and on leaving the 30 mph restricted zone and West Yorkshire boundary it accelerated into the national speed limit and attempted to negotiate the left hand bend.

"A full investigation is underway but witnesses, or anyone with information about this incident should call Pennine's Road Policing Unit on 01282 472431.

"I would appeal for anyone that saw the vehicles prior to the collision, or the accident itself to come forward and speak to us in order to piece together a full and accurate picture of what happened.

"The couple had stopped off at an unknown café in Todmorden, a popular haunt for bikers where we believe they spoke to two bikers. They travelled the same route towards Burnley and arrived at the scene shortly after the accident, stopping to speak to the driver of the Corsa but leaving before police arrived. I urgently need to speak to these motorcyclists and would ask them to come forward to police.

"Jamie was wearing black and red alpine stars leathers with a black helmet and Jenny was wearing a black and pink leather jacket with a HJC helmet."