A man was killed and four people injured last night when two cars crashed in a Mid Sussex village.

The 20-year-old from Crawley was a back-seat passenger in a Vauxhall Astra involved in a smash with a Citroen BX at Balcombe, between Haywards Heath and Crawley.

Four other people were injured. The dead man has not yet been named.

It happened at 11.20pm on the B2110, the village High Street, 100 metres east of the junction with Brantridge Lane.

The driver of the Astra, another 20-year-old man from Crawley, suffered multiple cuts to his face and body. The front seat passenger, a 19-year-old from Horley, was slightly hurt.

The driver of the Citroen suffered whiplash, bruising and cuts. He was a 62-year-old from Ashurstwood, near East Grinstead. His front seat passenger was a 64-year-old woman, also from Ashurstwood.

All those involved were taken to the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath.

Police are appealing for witnesses to call the Haywards Heath traffic base on 0845 6070999, ext 35036.