A woman is in a critical condition following a two car crash on the A595.

Part of the major route through west Cumbria was closed yesterday following the collision at Clints Brow.

Emergency services were called to the scene at about 3.20pm.

Two fire crews from Whitehaven attended and used hydraulic equipment to rescue one person who was trapped. The casualty was then handed into the care of paramedics.

A 59-year-old local woman - who was driving a Ford Ka - was airlifted to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle and is in a critical but stable condition.

The driver of the other car - who was driving a blue Audi TT - was a 41-year-old local woman who was treated for other injuries at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

The road was closed in both directions, between Egremont and Bigrigg, for six hours.

A diversion was put in place and motorists were ask to avoid the area.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "The road was closed for six hours while a travel collision investigation was undertaken and vehicles were recovered."

Any witnesses to the incident are asked to call 101, quoting log number 134 of February 6.