A woman has been taken to hospital after being found at the side of a Darlington town centre road.

Durham Police received a call from a member of the public reporting a woman "seemingly asleep" at the side of the road on Wednesday (July 5).

The Roads and Armed Policing Unit were deployed to the area to locate and check on the woman's welfare.

The officers foundd the woman in the town centre lying at the side of the road needing urgent medical attention, and she was later taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

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A Durham Police spokesperson said: "On Wednesday night (July 5), our force control room received a call from a member of the public in Darlington, reporting they could see a female positioned at the side of the road, seemingly asleep and in danger of being hit by an oncoming car.

"Concerned for her safety, crews from our Roads and Armed Policing Unit (with advanced medical capability) were dispatched to the area to locate and check on her welfare.

"The officers spotted the woman in the town centre lying at the side of the road, like the caller reported, and in need of urgent medical attention.

"PCs Muir and Dauber managed to get the woman, who was unresponsive, into their police car and rushed her to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

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"Once there, medical professionals took over and safeguarded the woman and thanked officers for their intervention.

"They said, had the officers not taken quick steps, the female could and probably would, have died."

Medical professionals took over the incident, and the woman is now recovering in hospital.

Durham Roads and Armed Policing urged the public to call 999 if they are in emergency or spot one.

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A spokesperson for the Force added: "It’s not always high-speed pursuits and making arrests for Durham Roads & Armed Policing, it’s about protecting you and being there when you truly need us.

"In an emergency, always dial 999.

"An emergency is something that requires an immediate response, and using the 999 line unnecessarily could prevent somebody who is in danger from getting through to us."