Two Bradford women have died after their car was in collision with what was believed to have been a stolen red Mercedes CLK 200 in Apperley Bridge.

Both women, aged 48, who were travelling in a Ford Fiesta, died as a result of the injuries they received in the collision which took place near the junction of Apperley Road and Harrogate Road, near the Stansfield Arms pub at about 11.15pm last night.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has attended the scene after they were referred to the matter, as a police vehicle had been alerted to the alleged stolen Mercerdes just prior to the crash.

West Yorkshire Police has said five people who were in the Mercedes at the time, two men aged 22 and three females aged 15, 15 and 19, all from Leeds, received non-life threatening injuries and were being treated at hospitals in Leeds and Bradford.

All five have been arrested in connection with the incident.

Detective Superintendent Dave Pervin, of the homicide and major enquiries team, said: "Due to the time of night and location of the collision it is likely this incident will have been witnessed and we would like to speak to anyone who saw the incident or the red Mercedes shortly before the collision occurred."

The main A658 Apperley Lane was closed this morning both ways between the B6152 Micklefield Lane and A657 New Line.

A diversion is in operation from Rawdon using the A65 to Horsforth, A6120 Leeds Outer Ring Road and A657 from Rodley to Greengates.

It was expected the closure will be in place until about noon while investigations are carried out at the scene.

Anyone who has any information about the incident has been asked to contact the helpdesk at Airedale and North Bradford Police on 0845 6060606.