POLICE are appealing for witnesses to an accident that killed an 86-year-old man and left another driver badly injued.

The dead man was driving a Ford Fiesta which collided with a Toyota Corina on Cliff Road, Milford-on-Sea, on Sunday evening.

Police say the 86-year-old, who lived in the Milford area, died at the scene of the crash.

The Toyota was being driven by a 27-year-old Everton man who suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Southampton General Hospital, where his condition is described as critical.

A large number of people are thought to have been in the area at the time of the accident.

Acting Sgt Gary Keeble, of the Road Death Investigation Team, said: "This is a popular area for dog walkers and we know that people were quickly at the scene of the crash trying to help.

"We need to speak to anyone who saw the accident or either of the vehicles prior to the collision.

"In particular we would like to speak to anyone who saw the Toyota driving with or near a Vauxhall Astra prior to the incident."

The identity of the dead man is being withheld until his relatives have been told.

Police say the accident happened on a bend in Cliff Road, close to its junction with West Road, shortly after 6pm on Sunday.

A man living in a nearby road called The Lydgate said: "I was looking out of my window when I saw a car travelling toward Milford, followed by an enormous crash.

"After that there were a lot of people running around shouting at each other.

"Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service arrived before the ambulance and cut the roof off one of the cars.

"The other vehicle was covered up."