At least 17 people have been injured, some seriously, after two cars crashed and ploughed into bystanders at a modified car meet in Stevenage.

The accident took place on the A602 in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, on Thursday evening as hundreds of people gathered to admire cars.

But the event - raising money for charity - turned into a nightmare when both cars collided with pedestrians.

Footage posted on social media showed one car emerging onto the main road while another vehicle was passing at speed. They collided, causing both cars to hit bystanders on the side of the road and on the central reservation.

Describing the incident, Rix Sidhu, 29, of the Cruise Herts club which had organised the get-together said the crash involved a Nissan 350Z and a Toyota GT86.

"We saw the car (Toyota) come into the car park and recklessly do a donut manoeuvre," he said.

"It pulled out of the car park on to the main road and then it was hit by the Nissan, which was coming at speed. I'd say at least 60 or 70mph.

"I was walking down the main road to meet up with some friends and then I saw it happen.

"The cars collided and then went into the crowd at speed. There were several younger people in the crowd, but they weren't kids. They were about 18 years old-plus."