A WOMAN was killed in a crash involving a car and a tractor today.

Durham Police confirmed the death of the driver of a MINI Cooper following the two-vehicle collision on the A691, at Leadgate, near Consett.

The incident took place near to Leadgate Industrial Estate, at about 9.40am.

Police said the driver of the tractor was unhurt, but the woman driving the Mini was pronounced dead at the scene due to injuries suffered in the accident.

The A691, the main road from Consett to Durham, was closed in the aftermath of the accident, on a stretch between Iveston, near Leadgate, and Low Woodside, at Lanchester.

It remained closed while the police investigation into the circumstances continued and the force said it was expected to remain out of use to general traffic for some time later in the day.

Diversions were signposted.