A woman has died in hospital after a crash near Preston.

Southport New Road, A556, was closed for a number of hours after a driver lost control and hit a tree.

Lancashire Police are still investigating the incident but Inspector Grant Smith said it appeared the female driver had lost control while driving on the icy roads.

He said: “A single female driver has lost control and was taken to hospital.

“She sadly passed away a short time later.”

Police confirmed no one else or any other vehicles had been involved in the incident.

The black Rover 7 series vehicle had to be cut open by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service at around 5.30am on Sunday (29 January).

Paramedics treated the woman at the scene at the junction of Blackgate Lane and Southport New Road. She was taken to Royal Preston Hospital but died a short time later from her injuries.

Police have named the woman as Agnieszka Cecot, 37, of Southport.

Sgt Nigel Ralphson, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “This was a serious collision which has sadly cost a woman her life. I would appeal for any witnesses, or anyone with information, to contact police on 101 quoting log number 0329 of Sunday, January 29th.”