Two teenage girls have been seriously injured after being hit by a school mini bus just off the A27.

One girl, 14, has serious rib and chest injuries, including a punctured lung, and another, 13, has back injuries after the accident near Berwick Court Farm in Alfriston Road.

Another eight pupils who were travelling in the minibus have also been taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Both girls, who were pedestrians on their way to Ringmer Community College, have been taken to Eastbourne District General Hospital.

The 72-year-old minibus driver suffered scratches and bruising and declined medical aid.

The children on board the mini bus, four girls and four boys, were all between the ages of nine and 13.

The mini bus was on its way to St Andrews School in Eastbourne when the accident happened close to Drusillas Park.

Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the scene of the crash on the minor road off the A27 before 8am.

Sussex Police said it's believed the bus rolled over after skidding on surface water.

The accident has caused delays to traffic on the westbound A27.

Traffic jams have been made worse by queues of traffic leading up to the Drusillas roundabout as the road to Alfriston has also been closed due to flooding.

A spokesman for Sussex Police said: "Police are appealing to drivers to avoid the scene and ask for any witnesses to contact 0845 60 70 999 quoting Serial 230 of December 1."