A young Southampton motorcyclist died when he lost control of his bike on a country road.

Stewart Hawkins was out on a motorbike ride with his dad, two brothers and another man when the tragedy happened.

Police have launched an investigation into the death of the 23-year-old, from Gilpin Close, in the city.

The accident happened on the A32 south of East Tisted at about 3.25pm on Saturday.

Police said Mr Hawkins was half a mile north of Hedge Corner on the southbound carriageway when he lost control of his Suzuki Bandit motorcycle on a slight bend.

He fell on to the road, receiving serious head injuries, and died at the scene. No other vehicle was involved.

Mr Hawkins was the lead rider and had become separated from the rest of the group at the time of the crash.

He was riding in a group of five, including his 47-year-old father and two brothers, aged 21 and 25, and a 46-year-old man who is a close family friend.

All of the group live in Southampton.

Officers from the Roads Policing Unit at Whitehill are appealing for witnesses to the crash or anyone who saw the victim driving prior to the crash to contact Operation Workstation at Whitehill on 0845 045 45 45.