AN appeal was made last night for witnesses to a two-car collision which left both female motorists detained in hospital over the weekend.

Police believe the driver of a Renault Clio car swerved to avoid a pedestrian or cyclist and drove into the path of an oncoming Vauxhall Nova.

The accident place on an unclassified road at Tanfield Lea, near Stanley, County Durham between the Ever Ready Industrial Estate and Causey Road.

Firefighters using hydraulic cutting equipment freed both the 22-year-old Clio driver, from east Stanley and the 17-year-old Nova driver, from nearby Tantobie.

Both were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City.

The Clio driver suffered hip and leg injuries and the Nova driver sustained punctured lungs, a broken leg and chest injuries. None of the injuries were described as life threatening.

Police are appealing for anyone who saw the accident, at 6.15pm on Saturday, to contact them on 0191-375 2159.