A 17-year-old driver and his 12-year-old passenger died in a crash yesterday, Wiltshire Police have confirmed.

The teenage boy was driving a Ford Fiesta when it collided with a Mercedes Sprinter van travelling in the opposite direction on the A36 at Steeple Langford, near Salisbury, yesterday afternoon.

Police said the occupants of the Fiesta, who were both local, died at the scene.

The van driver, a 45-year-old man from the Southampton area, suffered relatively minor injuries and was taken to Salisbury District Hospital.

A police spokesman said: "The road was closed for a total of six hours whilst specialist investigators carried out their inquiries.

"The families of the deceased have been notified but formal identification has not yet taken place.

"A family liaison officer is assisting the family and our thoughts are with them."

Anyone who has not already provided their details to the police and has information is asked to contact PC Neil Hannis of the Collision Investigation Unit on 101, or telephone Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 where details can be left anonymously.