BLACK ice on the region's roads led to a spate of accidents yesterday morning, including two on the same stretch.

An unforeseen drop in temperatures just as motorists were making their way to work left many skidding on treacherous surfaces, and some colliding with other vehicles.

One of the worst-affected areas was between Darlington Back Lane, in Stockton, and Yarm Back Lane, where two accidents occurred.

In the second, involving a Ford Mondeo, Citroen and Rover, a man had to be cut out of his car by firefighters.

He was taken to North Tees Hospital shortly after 8am, suffering from a suspected broken leg. The accident happened about 30 minutes after another two cars had collided on the same stretch of road, which had apparently not been gritted.

A spokesman for Stockton Borough Council said last night that it had been issued with inaccurate information from the Meteorological Office, and that as soon as the problem came to light, the gritters were dispatched.

At 10am yesterday, two vehicles collided head on at Bamburgh Road, Clavering, Hartlepool.

Among the five people involved were two children, who were taken to Hartlepool General Hospital suffering from shock.