ACCIDENT investigators are appealing for witnesses to a three-car crash on the outskirts of Spennymoor which left a young woman badly hurt.

The 20-year-old driver of a Citroen Saxo, who is from Newton Hall, in Durham, suffered serious leg and internal injuries in the smash which happened on the A688 at 8.20am on Wednesday.

She was airlifted to James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where her condition was described as stable yesterday afternoon.

Her Saxo was one of three cars travelling west on a dual carriageway towards Binchester Moor roundabout. Police said a Vauxhall Vectra pulled out to overtake the Saxo, which was travelling in the nearside lane, and collided with a Porsche Boxter in the offside lane.

Both cars then collided with the Saxo causing it to mount the kerb and overturn several times down an embankment before coming to rest in a field.

The Vectra driver, a 55-year-old man from Spennymoor, was unhurt. The driver of the Porsche suffered minor injuries and was treated at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

Anyone who can help is asked to call the police accident investigation unit on 0191-375-2159.