A MAN was left with serious head injuries after crashing into a tree.

The 20-year-old was driving a silver BMW along the B2104 Ersham Road between Stone Cross and Hailsham when it left the road and struck the tree.

The accident happened at about 11.30pm yesterday.

The driver, from near Chiddingly, was trapped in the vehicle until he could be freed by firefighters.

The crews from Hailsham and Herstmonceux had to use specialised equipment in an hour-long operation to get him out of the wreck and into the hands of paramedics.

He was then taken by ambulance to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, where he has been detained for treatment.

The road was closed to traffic for more than three hours while emergency services were at the scene, half mile north of the World of Water.

Anyone who saw what happened or noticed the BMW being driven shortly before the crash should email collision.appeal@sussex.pnn.police.uk or phone 101, quoting Operation Kinglet.