INVESTIGATIONS are continuing into the deaths of two young fathers who died in a head-on car crash last week.

Andrew Keith Fairley, 20, and Alan Nicholson, 24, both from West Cornforth, County Durham, died when the Ford Fiesta car they were in was involved in an accident with a prison van on Thursday night.

Last night, police renewed an appeal for witnesses to the accident, which happened on the A688 about half a mile south of Bowburn Services, between Tursdale and Bowburn, at about 7pm.

Police believe the Fiesta, which was driven by Mr Fairley, of Cedar Terrace, veered on to the wrong side of the road and hit a Leyland Daf van travelling in the opposite direction.

Two men were freed from the van by firefighters.

The front-seat passenger sustained multiple fractures to both legs and the driver suffered less serious injuries.

Mr Fairley and Mr Nicholson, from Poplar Terrace, who have been best friends since childhood, died at the scene.

Their families are being comforted by friends and relatives.

Anyone who may have seen the accident is asked to call Durham Police on 0191-375 2159.