A bus and a 4x4 vehicle collided as the big freeze continued to grip Sussex.

The crash happened at the top of the A259 at East Dean, near Eastbourne, one mile west of the Downs Golf Club.

The front of the double-decker No.12 Eastbourne Buses vehicle, including its windscreen, was damaged.

It was travelling from Seaford to Eastbourne.

The black 4x4 was a write-off after its front driver's side was severely damaged in the smash just after 4pm yesterday.

The accident happened on a slush-covered road as forecasters said Sussex should brace itself for more icy blasts today following plunging overnight temperatures.

Five ambulances battled through severe weather to reach the scene.

Four men and one woman were treated for minor injuries and taken by ambulance to the Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Ambulance crews also dealt with six other bus passengers shaken by the crash.

Two ambulances transported them to Eastbourne town centre.

Ambulance officer Tim Fellows said: "The weather conditions were worsening and the temperature was dropping.

"I would like to thank the operators of the gritting machines who, despite the extreme conditions, were able to grit the road enough for our vehicles to access the scene."

The road was closed by police late yesterday following the crash and gritters and snow ploughs continued to operate. The road remained closed this morning.