A MAN and woman in their early thirties had to be rushed to hospital this afternoon following a car accident in St Helen Auckland, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Firefighters had to free the pair from the wreckage of their car after they collided with another vehicle on Manor Road at around 1pm.

The man is believed to have suffered facial injuries and the woman is thought to have received abdominal and hip injuries.

Both casualties, who are from the West Auckland area, were taken to Bishop Auckland General Hospital by ambulance.

The road was closed in both directions for three and a half hours but has now reopened.