FOUR children have been flown to hospital after a three vehicle pile-up involving a school bus on Teesside tonight.

The crash, involving a mini-bus, a bus carrying 30 school children and a Renault Scenic Megan, happened just after 3.30pm today outside the English Martyrs School, in Hartlepool. (Wed.).

A fleet of ambulances and helicopters ferried the injured to hospitals in Middlesbrough and Stockton. A nearby Rugby Club was used as an emergency landing zone for three air ambulances.

Although three children are said to be seriously hurt their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

The Great North East Air Ambulance Service said four casualties had been flown to hospital in three helicopters.

The most seriously injured was an eight-year-old girl who suffered head injuries and was taken to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

The charity also took two other children to the same hospital and a third person, suffering leg injuries, was airlifted to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

The incident happened on Catcote Road, in Hartlepool.

The emergency services have declared the crash "a major incident."

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "A three vehicle collision has occured outside English Martyrs School, on Catcote Road, Hartlepool.

"The incident happened just after 3.30pm this afternoon.

"One of the vehicles involved is a mini-bus, another is a bus believed to be carrying about 30 children and the third vehicle is a Renault Megane Scenic.

"A major incident has been declared by the emergency services.

"Numerous ambulances have been called to the scene and Catcote Road nearby is being used as a holding base for casualties.

"Air-ambulance are on route to the site and are using a nearby rugby club as a landing zone."