Police have still to name the victims.

Police say the accident happened at 0740 BST on Sunday, when a car carrying two elderly people collided with another vehicle driven by a man on the A590 at Witherslack, near Kendal.

All three were pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

The road was closed for more than four hours while emergency services recovered bodies from the scene.

A spokesman for Cumbria Police said: "Emergency services were called to the A590 at Witherslack this morning.

"Two elderly people travelling west on the road in a blue Ford Fiesta had been in collision with a silver Vauxhall Astra travelling in the opposite direction.

"Paramedics declared all three people dead at the scene.

"We are not releasing any further details about the individuals concerned until relatives have been informed.

"The coroner is being informed today."