A woman has been killed in a four-car pile-up.

Emergency services were called to the collision on the Charmouth bypass in west Dorset at 5.36pm on Sunday.

The vehicles involved were a black BMW estate, a silver Volvo estate, a blue Peugeot Allure and a blue Honda CR-V.

The driver of the BMW, a 68-year-old woman from Sussex, was pronounced dead at the scene. Her next of kin have been informed and the coroner notified.

The driver of the Volvo sustained minor injuries and was taken to Dorset County Hospital.

The driver of the Peugeot was also taken to Dorset County Hospital for treatment.

A female passenger and five teenagers also travelling in the car, all from the Hampshire area, were uninjured.

The driver of the Honda and a passenger, both from the Bournemouth area, were checked over by paramedics at the scene but did not sustain any injuries.

The road was closed at the Charmouth roundabout and the slip road on the east side if the A35 while emergency services dealt with the incident.

Police Constable Fern Graham, of the traffic unit, said: "I am appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident or the manner of driving of any of the vehicles leading up to the collision to please come forward.

"We would like to thank motorists for their patience during the road closures which have been necessary to allow officers to examine the scene and for paramedics to care for those involved."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101 quoting incident number 14:353