TWO drivers had to be cut out of their cars after a head-on smash in Clitheroe.

A Volvo 940, driven by David Cougill, of Bashall Eaves and a Ford Mondeo estate, driven by Peter Holman, of Oswaldtwistle, collided on the A671 about half a mile outside Clitheroe town centre at 3pm yesterday. The road was closed for about three hours after the accident while investigators examined the scene.

Mr Cougill, 40, of Horsehay Farm, suffered a broken pelvis, while Mr Holman, 35, of Hawthorn Avenue, sustained fractures to his feet and a suspected fractured arm. Both were taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

Firefighters from Great Harwood, Clitheroe and the incident support unit from Accrington, which has specialist cutting equipment, attended the scene.

Sub-officer Rob Beetham from Hyndburn Fire Station said: "Both men were trapped in their vehicles by the force of the impact. We used cutting equipment to remove the drivers' doors so we could get them on to stretchers."