UPDATE: Two men are seriously ill following a crash this morning.

The men, both from Bexhill, were seriously injured following the crash between a skip lorry and a van on the A27 between Falmer and Hollingbury.

Both the seriously injured men were occupants of the van.

One man, 27, was recovered from underneath the skip while another, in his 50s, was pulled from the van.

The younger man, whose condition was described as "critical but stable" by police, was taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

The older man, whose condition was described as "serious but stable", was airlifted to hospital in London.

The driver of the skip lorry received minor injuries and is being treated at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: "Police are investigating a serious road traffic collision which happened westbound on the A27 between Falmer and Hollingbury.

"They are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a white van going very slowly or had broken down.

"It was partially in lane one and the verge on that stretch of road.

"A skip lorry was involved in a collision with the van at around 7.15am.

"Three people were injured and major traffic congestion was caused in the area, with queues back to the Lewes bypass."

Sergeant Nick Walker said: "Two men in the white van received serious injuries and have been taken to hospital to be treated.

"We believe the white van was breaking down or had broken down on the westbound carriageway when the skip lorry was in collision with it.

"We are keen to talk to anyone who saw the van before the collision or has any information."

Police are advising anyone planning to use the route to avoid the area for the time being.

The westbound lane was closed at A270 Lewes Road with a diversion at Stanmer Park.

This part of the A27 westbound has just reopened.

Bus routes are also affected.

A statement said: "There is severe traffic congestion along Lewes Road as all traffic is being diverted off the by pass.

"There are tailbacks as far as Lewes and traffic is taking up to half an hour to travel between Falmer and Coldean Lane.

"This is seriously affecting bus routes along the Lewes Road, in particular the 24, 25 and especially the 28 and 29.

"However so far other bus routes along the Lewes Road such as the 49 and 49A are relatively unaffected and are operating generally to time."

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 0845 60 70 999 quoting Operation Stanway.

Did you witness the crash or were you stuck in traffic? Email anna.roberts@theargus.co.uk