A SEVENTH person has died following the head-on collision on the A429 Fosseway between Stow and Moreton on Friday.

A 34-year-old woman from Stow, believed to be the aunt of two children seriously injured in the crash, died at 8.34pm last night (Sat) at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital as a result of chest injuries received in the crash.

It brings to seven the total number of people in the crash, which Gloucestershire police said was the worst loss of life on the county roads for many years.

The latest victim was a rear passenger in a green VW Passat that was travelling towards Stow when it was in collision with a grey Peugeot 306 that was overtaking another car as it was heading towards Moreton at around 9.20pm on Friday.

The 53-year-old male driver of the Passat was declared dead at the scene, along with all four occupants of the Peugeot. The front seat passenger of the Passat, a 61-year-old woman from Stow, died later in hospital.

They are believed to be the grandparents of the two children - a boy aged nine and a 10-year-old girl - who are in a critical condition in hospital in Bristol, with head and abdominal injuries respectively.

Those who died in the Peugeot are a man aged 35, a woman aged 31 and a 15-year-old girl from Moreton and a 20-year-old man from the Chipping Norton area.

Prayers for the dead and injured were expected to be said at churches throughout the north Cotswolds today, as the devastated communities affected by the tragedy try to come to terms with the terrible loss of life.

The accident happened on the A429 near the turning to Broadwell All next of kin have been informed and police liaison officers are offering support where appropriate. Police have appealed to members of the media to refrain from trying to contact the families at this time.

Anyone who saw the collision or either car prior to the accident is asked to contact the police if they have not already done so.

Road closures were put in place following the accident while all three emergency services worked at the scene.

Anyone with information that could help the police investigation should contact Gloucestershire Constabulary as soon as possible on 0845 090 1234, quoting incident number 536 of March 7.