POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a car smash that left a teenager with serious head injuries.

The accident happened at about 2pm on Wednesday, in Hetton-le-Hole.

A Rover 418 car was travelling south ,on North Road, in the village, when it collided with a van that was parked partially on the kerb.

Firefighters had to cut the car passenger from the wreckage. The 18-year-old man from Durham, was taken to Durham's University Hospital and later transferred to Newcastle General Hospital. The driver, a 19-year-old man, also from Durham, escaped without serious injury.

Any witnesses to the crash is asked to contact Northumbria Police on 0191-563 6776.