A YOUNG man was seriously hurt in an accident on a country road last night.

A Land Rover Defender and a Volkswagen Polo collided on Eggleston Lane, near the cemetery on the outskirts of Romaldkirk in Teesdale, County Durham, shortly before 10pm.

The 4x4 vehicle overturned onto its roof and a 21-year-old front seat passenger suffered a suspected fractured skull and broken jaw.

Firefighters used specialist cutting equipment to release him from the vehicle and he was taken to The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.

The driver and another passenger, all men aged under 25, sustained minor injuries and the female Polo driver escaped unhurt.

The road remained closed until 2am.

Police have this morning described the 21-year-old's condition as serious.