SIX people had a lucky escape after a two-car crash in which one of the vehicles burst into flames.

Fire engulfed one of the cars after the accident outside a County Durham tourist centre - but all those involved escaped without serious injury.

The driver of the Ford Escort Cabriolet which burst into flames suffered a broken leg in the accident, on Saturday evening, and the others sustained minor injuries.

Police said those involved in the accident, at the Dales Cente, in Stanhope, Weardale, had a lucky escape.

Acting Inspector Brian Maudling, of Crook police, said: "By the look of some of the damage to one of the vehicles, they have been very lucky indeed. It looks as though the most serious injury is a broken leg.

"It potentially could have been even worse, bearing in mind it was a nice sunny day. You could have had a lot of people about."

The accident happened when a Nissan Primera estate car with two people left the centre and turned on to the A689.

It was involved in a collision with the Escort, driven by a Sunderland man who had three passengers, travelling west, shortly before 6pm.

The Escort's driver and three passengers were taken to the University Hospital in Durham. The occupants of the Nissan suffered from shock.

Firefighters from Stanhope and Crook stations attended the scene, along with a heavy rescue vehicle from Bishop Auckland.

The road, a main route from County Durham into Cumbria, was closed for two-and-a-half hours, causing extensive traffic problems throughout Weardale.

Anyone with any information about the accident is asked to contact either Crook police, on (01388) 762011, or accident investigators at Durham Police, on 0191-3864929.