A DRIVER has died following a smash between a van and a lorry on the A56.

The crash happened just after midday yesterday on the Accrington easterly by-pass between junction eight of the M65 and the A679 Burnley Road turn-off.

The collision involved a Volvo flat back lorry and a Mercedes Sprinter van.

The driver of the van was cut free from the vehicle by firefighters before being taken to the Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance. He died later in hospital and has been named as 35-year-old Paul Wellens from Middleton, Manchester.

The 40-year-old lorry driver, from Huddersfield, was not seriously injured.