FIVE Vale schoolchildren were taken to hospital last week after two separate road accidents.

Two schoolgirls and their mother were hurt when their car left the road near the Fish and Anchor pub in Offenham on Wednesday morning.

The smash happened on the B4510 Fish and Anchor Bank shortly after 8am.

One of the girls, aged ten, was taken by County Air Ambulance to Birmingham Children's hospital with head and back injuries.

She was later transferred to the spinal unit at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

The mother and her other daughter, aged seven, went by ambulance to the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch, where it is understood the girl underwent surgery.

Evesham firefighters had to cut the roof off the Peugeot 206 to free the two girls who were trapped inside.

Meanwhile, three pupils from Prince Henry's School in Evesham were taken to hospital after the VW Polo in which they were travelling collided with a Royal Mail van which then burst into flames.

The accident happened on an unclassified road between Pershore and Little Comberton about 5.15pm last Thursday.

The postman and the three schoolboys in the silver Polo were taken by ambulance to Worcestershire Royal Hospital and they were treated for smoke inhalation and minor injuries before three of them were released.

One of the schoolboys is believed to have been detained with more serious injuries.

Pershore police, who diverted traffic away from the crash scene, would like to hear from anyone who saw the collision or either of the vehicles being driven beforehand.

Anyone with information should call 08457 444888.