A WOMAN driver was airlifted to hospital after being seriously injured in a head on collision near an East Durham village.

The 33-year-old woman, from Hetton-le-Hole, Wearside, was flown to Newcastle General Hospital after the accident on Monday afternoon.

The accident happened when the woman driving a Peugeot 306 car was in collision with a VW Golf being driven in the opposite direction by a 28-year-old man from Easington Lane.

A police helicopter was flown to the scene on the B1280 Salters Lane, on the edge of the village of Haswell, half a mile north of the junction with the C64.

The woman, who suffered multiple injuries was airlifted directly to Newcastle General, where her condition was described yesterday as "stable''.

The male driver was taken to the Royal Hospital in Sunderland and was allowed home after treatment for minor injuries.

Police have asked anyone who may have witnessed the collision to contact officers on 0191-386 4929.