THREE children were taken to hospital after a head-on crash in West Oxfordshire today.

A van and car crashed in Abingdon Road in Standlake at about 2pm this afternoon, injuring five people.

Police closed the road and put up a diversion, which was still in place at 3.30pm, while firefighters, nearby residents and ambulance crews also rallied round. 

Stagecoach tweeted that its number 19 services was unable to serve the area as a result of the crash, thought to have happened at the Brighthampton junction with Witney Road and Aston Road. 

South Central Ambulance Service sent crews at 2.02pm and spokeswoman Michelle Archer said five patients were assessed.

She said one adult was taken to the minor injuries unit at Witney Community Hospital while three children were taken to the John Radcliffe in Oxford.

Another adult not not require hospital treatment. 

Details of the children's injuries were not clear but she confirmed they were not life-threatening.

Two fire engines from Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue also attended.

Crew manager Chris Rowe, incident commander, said: "On arrival we were faced with two vehicles that had collided head on. The occupants were being cared for by local residents."

He warned the crash would have been 'far worse' if the passengers had not been wearing seatbelts, adding: "I would urge people to always wear seatbelts and ensure they have the correct car seats, in good condition, for any child using their vehicle."