A WOMAN was killed and her husband injured when their car left the A1M and crashed into a tree early yesterday.

The couple were nearing the end of a long journey returning to Darlington from Stansted Airport in Essex.

Linda Hannah Hauser, 52, from Darlington, was the front-seat passenger in the silver Peugeot 406 which was involved in the accident, at about 3am.

She was pronounced dead at the scene, just north of Leeming Bar, North Yorkshire, at the junction of the A684, known as Holtby Kennels.

Her husband, Joseph O'Donnell, 49, suffered head injuries and police said last night that he is expected to be released from Darlington Memorial Hospital later today.

The couple had been travelling home from the airport.

It is believed they had no close relatives in the region and police are trying to trace family members thought to be living in Scotland.

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue despatched five engines, from Richmond, Bedale and Colburn, to the scene, and used hydraulic cutting equipment to release Ms Hauser's body from the car.

Any witnesses to the crash are being urged to contact North Yorkshire Police's accident investigation unit on (01609) 783131.