Firemen had to cut the roof off a van to free a man after it left the road and crashed into bushes this morning.

The 47-year-old driver suffered neck and spinal injuries and he was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham, by ambulance.

The crash took place at 7.18am this morning (Saturday, December 28) on the A6076 near the entrance of Tanfield Lea Industrial Estate, at Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, County Durham.

It is believed to have been caused by black ice.

Durham Police is warning motorists to take care today due to icy conditions. Roads near Seaham, Consett, Peterlee and Hett Hills, near Chester-le-Street, in County Durham, are particularly bad.