A PENSIONER has been left in intensive care after a two-car crash.

The 82-year-old was one of four people taken to hospital after the crash on Wednesday night in Front Street, Dipton, near Stanley.

Shortly after 7pm, a Vauxhall Zafira travelling through the village crossed the carriageway and collided with a Vauxhall Corsa coming in the opposite direction near Chopwell View.

Police say both cars were extensively damaged in the crash. Four fire crews attended the scene and several of the occupants had to be cut free from the wreckage.

The elderly passenger in the Zafira suffered multiple injuries and was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary, in Newcastle, where she was last night said to be in a serious condition in the intensive care unit.

The driver of the car a 55-year-old woman, was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham suffering minor injuries.

Both people in the Corsa, a 25-year-old woman driver and her 24-year-old male passenger, suffered fracture injuries and were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham.

The road was closed for two-and-a-half hours after the accident.

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to call Durham Police's road collision investigation unit on 0345 6060365.