The A49 is being resurfaced after the fire

The accident happened on the A49 at Ashton, near Leominster, at lunchtime on Monday, causing an explosion and a fire which badly damaged a cottage.

Christopher Gore, 43, from Leominster, was in a security vehicle and Thomas Jones, 39, from Rhydlewis, Ceredigion, was driving a milk tanker.

They were both pronounced dead at the scene.

The bodies have yet to be formally identified but police released their names after inquiries by the coroner.

Fire crews from across Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Shropshire were called out to the scene at around 1340 BST.

The impact trapped the drivers Divisional officer Ray Rogers

The contents of the milk tanker leaked into the water system and the fire service worked with the Environment Agency to try to minimise the damage.

Divisional officer Ray Rogers, of Hereford and Worcester Fire Brigade, said: "It has been extremely challenging.

"Upon impact there was a very severe fire. The impact trapped the drivers."

Mr Rogers said a stone cottage was severely damaged but the owner was not at home at the time.

The road melted in the heat of the flames and had to be resurfaced on Tuesday.