A MAN has been taken to hospital by air ambulance after two cars collided near Darlington.

Firefighters had to cut the man from the vehicle he was travelling in following the incident near the Carlbury Arms, in Piercebridge, near Darlington, this morning.

Fire crews were called to the scene at 11.48am and two appliances, as well as a heavy rescue vehicle, attended the incident.

The man was rescued from the car at 12.27pm and taken to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by helicopter.

Fire crews are making the scene safe.