NINE students from a Darlington college were injured last night when their coach was in collision with a van.

They were taken to two hospitals, but none was seriously hurt.

The accident happened as the party of theatre students, from the Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College, arrived at Ministeracres Passionist Monastery Retreat and Conference Centre, near Consett, County Durham, for the start of a three-day residential course.

Their hired coach was turning off the A68 into the driveway when it was in collision with a van shortly after 6pm.

College principal David Heaton said: "I was very troubled when I heard about the accident but very relieved to learn that they all suffered only minor injuries.

"I saw them off from the college just after 5pm and they were all in a good mood and really looking forward to it. They had the accident just as they were arriving."

The coach was not being driven by a member of the college staff.

Mr Heaton said he had spoken to the police and had been in touch with the hospitals to check on the students' conditions. Their parents have all been informed and travelled to the hospitals last night.

A spokesman for the North-East Ambulance Service said that five people suffered spinal injuries and the remainder suffered minor injuries.

They were taken to the University Hospital of North Durham, in Durham City, and Newcastle General Hospital. Five paramedic crews were sent to the scene.

"The main thing is that they suffered only minor injuries and in most cases they were taken to hospital as a precautionary measure," said Mr Heaton.