Two young women have died in a car crash in Aberdeenshire.

Louise Hastie, 17 and Pamela Stevens, 18, died when their car crashed on the B9033 outside their home village of St Combs at 0100 GMT on Saturday.

Two men who were in the same car suffered serious injuries and are being treated in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.

No other cars were involved in the crash.

Witness appeal

Grampian Police said that the male driver of the car was a 24-year-old man from Gardenstown and that the other passenger was a 19-year-old from Macduff.

The road was closed for more than seven hours while investigators carried out enquiries.

Inspector Keith Henderson of Grampian Police described the crash as "a tragedy" and appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

He said: "We would like anyone who may have any information on what happened to contact us as soon as possible."

A report on the accident is being prepared for the procurator fiscal.