AN ELDERLY couple are still in hospital after a serious crash on Monday.

The 86-year-old driver of a blue Jaguar estate from Steyning is in a stable condition but his 82-year-old wife, who was sitting in the front seat at the time of the crash, is critically ill.

The car left the road, went into a water-filled ditch, and crashed into a tree shortly after midday. The pair were travelling behind a blue Holland tractor, north towards West Grinstead, near the B2135 junction with Mill Lane.

The couple are being treated for multiple injuries at the Royal Sussex County Hospital after being cut free from the wreckage by firefighters.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

Road policing officer Sergeant Phil Badman said: "The road was closed for several hours following this incident. This inevitably caused long delays and I would like to thank drivers for their patience and understanding while emergency services were at the scene."

Anyone with information should call 101 or email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk quoting Operation Rogate.