A man was killed and a family-of-four - including two very young girls - were left seriously hurt after a horror crash in Chelmsford this afternoon.

The man, believed to be in his 60s, from Chelmsford, died in the head on crash in Essex Regiment Way at about 3pm.

The smash has left a couple in their 30s and two girls, believed to be aged three and 18 months old, fighting for their lives.

The man was driving a Chevrolet Corvette which burst into flames, the family were in a Vauxhall Astra.

The family from Dunmow were all taken by ambulance to Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.

The road was closed in both directions.

A ambulance spokesman said: "Despite the best efforts of all the emergency services, one person was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

"Paramedics and the air ambulance doctor worked hard to assess and stabilise four other people.

"Two adults suffered multiple trauma injuries, including damage to the pelvic, and two children, both of whom we believe to be aged under five, were also injured in the collision.

"All four were taken to the major trauma centre at Addenbrooke’s Hospital for emergency treatment and were in a serious condition on arrival."

Anyone who witnessed the collision is asked to contact PC Dave Gorbutt on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.