A teenage girl has been left in a critical condition after an accident when the car she was travelling in collided with a tree.

The 15-year-old girl was taken to James Cook Memorial Hospital in Middlesbrough with serious head injuries following the accident at the Durham Way South Industrial Estate in Newton Aycliffe on Thursday evening.

Three other passengers in the black Vauxhall Astra, including the girl's 18-year-old sister, were treated for injuries at Darlington Memorial Hospital for injuries which were not believed to have been serious.

The sister, who was seated in the rear, was treated for back injuries. Also treated was a 15-year-old front seat passenger from Newton Aycliffe and local girl, aged 15, from Ferryhill.

The driver, a 20 year-old man, from Newton Aycliffe, was treated for chest injuries and an injury to his left hand, neither of which were classed as serious.

A police spokesman said: "The cause of the crash is still being investigated. We believe the car may have been driving round the industrial estate for several minutes prior to the crash and would like to speak to anybody who witnessed the manner in which it was driven." Any witnesses are asked to call the Police Accident Investigation Unit on 0191 375 2159.