SCHOOL BUS IN HEAD-ON CRASH

Luckily they were wearing seat belts and escaped serious injury.

About 30 children, from St Paul's Catholic School in Burgess Hill, were on the bus which collided with a Vauxhall Vectra heading north at about 4pm.

The driver of the Vauxhall, a 24-year-old local man, was trapped in the wreckage of his car and had to be cut out by fire fighters.

He was airlifted by police helicopter to hospital in Eastbourne with serious leg injuries which are not thought to be life threatening.

Three children on the bus were taken to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, with bruising to their heads.

Said Police Inspector Steve Grace: 'It was a very nasty accident but it could have been worse.

'The children had seat belts on which would have prevented more serious injuries.'

The road was closed in both directions while police and paramedics worked to free the stricken driver and clear the wreckage.

Both vehicles were taken away for expert examination.

The road remained closed, with diversions running through Barcombe, until 8pm.