A woman, believed to be in her 40s, has died and another has suffered life-threatening injuries following a crash between two cars which closed the A134 at Barnham.

Suffolk police were called at 10.45am yesterday morning to reports of a crash between a Vauxhall Corsa and a Skoda Octavia, near to the Barnham crossroads, and that people were trapped.

The female passenger in the Skoda and who is from the Thetford area, died at the scene.

The male driver of the Skoda has been taken to West Suffolk Hospital in Bury St Edmunds for treatment.

The woman driving the Corsa, who is in her 20s and from Norfolk, was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge with serious leg and internal injuries.

She is still in hospital in a critical condition.

Forest Heath councillor Andrew Smith, whose parish is Barnham, has expressed his sadness.

He said: 'It really is very sad news. I am really sad this has happened. It is with deep sadness that I send my condolences to the families of those involved.'

Reverend Sue Nutt, from the Church of St Gregory in Barnham, said: 'It is an awful tragedy for everybody involved. I am so sorry there has been a fatality.'

Three fire crews, from Thetford, Bury St Edmunds and Ixworth, attended the incident.

The A134 was closed in both directions at the junctions with The Street and Station Road for several hours to allow for investigation work to take place. It reopened in the late afternoon.

Anyone who saw the cars prior to the collision or the crash itself is asked to call Suffolk Police on 101, quoting CAD number 129.