TWO pensioners are fighting for their lives in hospital after a head-on crash between two cars.

The 83-year-old woman and 85-year-old man were passengers in a Jaguar car that collided head on with a Volkswagen Golf in Lanarkshire.

Police said the 54-year-old male driver of the black Jaguar was taken to Wishaw General Hospital, where he remains in a stable condition.

Both pensioners were also taken to Wishaw General Hospital, where doctors described their condition as "critical".

The 34 year-old male driver of the Volkswagen Golf was taken by ambulance to the Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

He remains in a stable condition.

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the crash, which happened on the A73, Carlisle Road, near Newhouse yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the scene at around 9am.

Sergeant Craig McDonald, Divisional Road Policing Unit, Motherwell, said: "This was a serious road crash which has left a number of people badly injured.

"The A73 was busy at this time and a number of cars stopped to help.

"We continue to progress our inquiry to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"I would ask that anyone who witnessed the crash contact the Road Policing Unit at Motherwell on 101."

The road was re-opened at around 3.30pm following police investigations at the scene.