FIVE people were taken to hospital after a two-vehicle head-on collision in Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall.

Emergency services, including two fire crews from Rawtenstall and the incident support unit from Accrington were called to the scene around 3.30pm yesterday.

Firefighters cut three adults from the vehicles and said two children had been released before their arrival.

Phillip Davidson, of Baltic Buildings, Waterfoot, who was driving a Rover 200, stayed in Burnley General Hospital with cuts to his right arm and left leg.

His passengers Alex, four, and Rachel Davison, eight, of Staghills Road, Newchurch, suffered whiplash.

William Harrison, 67, of Woodcroft Street, Rawtenstall, and his wife Heather, 66, were in a Ford Fiesta and both suffered whiplash.

A police spokesman said: "The collision was not as serious as we first thought.

"The road was closed for around three hours but reopened at 6.35pm after a diesel spillage caused by the collision was cleared up."

Witnesses to the collision are asked to call PC 2406 Brendan WIlliams on 01706 237464.