TWO men have been taken to hospital following a collision on a main road outside Stanley town centre this morning (Monday, April 20).

Emergency services were called to the A693, near the Ox Inn, at 7.30am and the road was closed.

A 30-year-old, from Lanchester, was driving a grey Mazda and a 54-year-old, from Bishop Auckland, was driving a silver Ford Focus.

Police said both men suffered head and back injuries but neither is thought to be in a life-threatening condition.

The Lanchester man was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and the Bishop Auckland man, who was cut free by firefighters, was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

Watch manager Paul Layfield, of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “The Mazda driver freed himself. The other was not trapped as such but was suffering from lower spinal injuries so we cut half of the roof off.

“The paramedics were quite happy to calm him down a bit and give him drugs for pain relief. They twisted him round and got him out sideways.

“There was a lot of damage to both cars but they are very strong these days."

The road was closed for about three hours.