An elderly woman has been left with life-threatening injuries after a serious head-on collision.

It happened on Malthouse Lane, Hurstpierpoint, at about 5.30pm yesterday.

A red Suzuki Alto travelling north towards Burgess Hill collided with a blue Vauxhall Corsa travelling south towards Hurstpierpoint.

The Suzuki driver, 76, from Hurstpierpoint, suffered serious head injuries, a broken left leg and four broken ribs. 

She had to be cut from the wreckage and was treated at the scene for life-threatening injuries, before being taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton.

The Vauxhall was driven by a 44-year-old man from Burgess Hill who sustained minor injuries.

He was taken to the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath.

Sgt Clare Kenward, of the Road Policing Unit, Haywards Heath, said: "The Suzuki driver was seriously injured and had to be cut free from her car.

"Malthouse Lane was closed at its junctions with Chalkers Lane and the A273 Jane Murray Way at Burgess Hill while emergency services were in attendance."