TWO police officers and two women were taken to hospital when a police LandRover and a van collided in Rossendale last night..

A third car then collided with the police vehicle but was only slightly damaged. Its driver was unhurt. The accident happened on the A681 Newchurch Road, east of Waterfoot, on a stretch known as The Glen, just before 6pm.

The police LandRover Discovery was travelling west to Rawtenstall and the Bedford Rascal van east to Bacup.

But both ended up on the east-bound lane, with the van on its side and the LandRover mounting the foot of a steep cliff. The River Irwell runs on the opposite side. Fire crews used cutting equipment to free the two women.

Police closed the road until 9pm and PS Russell Gregory said: "The two women in the van were taken to hospital in Rochdale and Bury. The driver had leg and chest injuries, while her passenger had whiplash injuries.

"The officers had whiplash injuries and were taken to hospital in Burnley for check-ups."