Two-vehicle crash at Hodnet, near Market Drayton

Motorists faced rush-hour chaos today after a two-vehicle collision in north Shropshire.

The incident involved a car and a van and happened on the A53 just south of the Hodnet roundabout, near Market Drayton, shortly before 8.30am.

No-one is believed to have been seriously hurt as a result of the accident which blocked the southbound carriageway for about an hour.

Two ambulances from the West Midlands Ambulance Service attended and dealt with minor injuries.

Richard Ewels, spokes-man for West Mercia Police, said: "Police were informed of a road traffic collision involving a car and a van shortly before 8.30am.

"One man was in the van, while there were several people in the car. At this stage no one is believed to have suffered any serious injuries.

"It appears a few of them may have suffered slight injuries such as whiplash.

"It caused the southbound carriage on the A53 to be blocked."

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Murray MacGregor said: "Two ambulances were sent to the scene. There were seven patients, but none of the injuries seem to be terribly serious."

One motorist who did not wish to be named said the crash caused long tailbacks for motorists and bad damage to the car.