ONE man died and another was critically ill last night after their car burst into flames after being involved in a head-on collision.

The driver, who died at the scene, apparently lost control on a left-hand bend on the B6278 Barnard Castle to Eggleston road, in Teesdale, County Durham.

The red Renault Laguna hit a verge and crossed onto the opposite side of the road, colliding head-on with a Volvo S60.

The dead man is believed to be a 35-year-old from Barnard Castle.

A 21-year-old man, who is also from Barnard Castle, was in the back of the Renault and suffered serious internal injuries. He was taken by air ambulance to Middlesbrough General Hospital, where his condition was described as critical.

A front-seat passenger, a 39-year-old man from South Shields, suffered a broken chest bone. He was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

The accident happened at Moss Mire - close to a prominent communications mast - shortly before 9.30am yesterday. Police closed the road for six hours.

The driver of the black Volvo, which was heading towards Barnard Castle, was a 45-year-old man from Whitley Bay, North Tyneside.

He suffered bruising and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "We are appealing for witnesses to the accident, in particular a man who dragged one of the passengers from the Renault, so we can establish what he saw of the accident."

Witnesses are asked to call 0191-386 49292.