Five people including a two-year-old girl with a fractured skull were taken to hospital following a head on smash on a village road.

The child, who has not been named, was a back seat passenger in one of two vehicles which collided in High Coniscliffe, near Darlington, on Saturday afternoon.

She was taken Darlington Memorial Hospital before being transferred to Newcastle General Hospital where her condition was described as "poorly".

The four other people were taken to the Darlington hospital following the accident on Ulnaby Lane, which happened at about 3.45pm.

It is understood the girl was from the Heighington area, on the outskirts of Darlington borough, but police have not revealed any details of the other people involved.

Durham Police said the accident happened south of the B6279 when a north-bound Peugeot 206, containing the two-year-old, crossed into the offside of the road on a brow, colliding with a Skoda Felicia heading south.

The 35-year-old female driver of the Peugeot suffered chest injuries, while a four-year-old boy, who was in the back with the girl, was left with a knee injury.

The 51-year-old male driver and 21-year-old front seat passenger of the Skoda both received chest injuries.

These four were all said to be comfortable following treatment at Darlington hospital.

Anybody who has any information is urged to contact the accident unity at Durham Police headquarters on 0191-3864929.