TWO people were thought to be in a serious condition after a holiday coach crashed in Minorca, Rossendale-based travel operators Airtours said today.

The company said 24 passengers including five staff, plus the driver, were on board the vehicle, when it was involved in a collision around 11.40pm last night.

A statement said: "We can confirm there has been an incident involving a coach travelling to Es Castell in Minorca.

"That happened at 11.30 last night. The coach was returning from an excursion earlier in the evening. The coach was carrying 24 passengers, five of which are Airtours employees, plus the driver.

"We believe that the incident happened after a vehicle that appeared from a side road collided with the coach.

"Airtours customers and employees have been transferred to four local hospitals for treatment. Most of the passengers suffered minor injuries although we believe two are in a more serious condition. Details of those involved cannot be revealed at this stage.

"We have despatched a senior management team including medical advisers to the resort and we have set up a helpline for concerned friends and relatives. The number is 01706 909050."

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said they could confirm there had been a crash involving an Airtours coach in Minorca and that as far as it was aware, there were no deaths.

The British Embassy in Madrid confirmed there were British tourists involved.