Two women who were killed in an horrific road accident have been named by police.

Pedestrian Irene Mary Stephenson, 57, of Piercebridge, and car passenger Sarah Ann Thompson, 88, of Meadowfield Road, Darlington, died after a two-car smash.

The double tragedy occurred on the A67 road, between Piercebridge and Gainford, near Darlington, at about 3pm yesterday.

A blue Vauxhall van was said to have hit a woman, then crossed the carriageway and struck a Peugeot 106 travelling in the opposite direction.