Two pensioners are in a serious condition in hospital after their car was involved in a head-on smash with a truck on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

The three-vehicle crash took place on the A71 west of the junction with Dalmahoy Road at around 1.30pm on Tuesday.

Police said a Renault flatbed truck which was travelling westbound initially crashed with a grey Renault Clio travelling in the opposite direction.

The truck then crash head-on with a grey Volvo XC60, which was travelling eastbound.

The 70-year-old driver of the Volvo and his female passenger, 70, were both taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary with serious injuries.

The 87-year-old driver of the Renault Clio and his 85-year-old female passenger were taken to hospital with minor injuries.

The 56-year-old male driver of the truck also required hospital treatment for minor injuries.

The road was shut for ten hours while investigations were carried out at the scene.

Sgt Kos Papakyriakou of Edinburgh's Road Policing Unit appealed for witnesses.

He said: "Those travelling in the Volvo were seriously injured however, thankfully, their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

"As part of our enquiries we'd urge anyone who witnessed this collision, and who has not yet spoken to officers, to get in touch with us.

"We'd also ask anyone who may have seen any of the vehicles beforehand, or has information which may be able to help, to come forward."

Anyone with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.