Two police officers are fighting for life in hospital after a car ploughed into them in north London.

The PCs, a woman and a man who are both aged in their 30s and based in the Brent borough, were returning to their marked police vehicle on the North Circular Road in the early hours of Sunday morning when a car collided with them.

Emergency services raced to the crash near Brent Park in Neasden at 3.40am.

The white Maserati car sustained serious damage and the driver, aged in his 50s, stopped at the scene. A woman travelling in the car also sustained injuries.

Scotland Yard said he was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and failing to provide a breath specimen.

The road was closed until about 10am as officers investigated the incident which is not terror-related.

A statement posted on the Brent MPS Twitter account said the officers had been taken to Resus at a north London hospital after the collision and remained there in a critical condition.

Next of kin have been informed.

In a series of posts, officers said: “Emergency services and police are dealing with a road traffic collision on A406 North Circular Road in which two police officers sustained injuries. Road closures are in place, and we advise motorists to avoid the area and seek alternative routes.

“A406 remains closed while investigation continues. Closure is still between A406 East bound, Drury Way to Neasden Lane, NW10. Please continue to avoid the area. Both officers remain in Resus in North London Hospital.

“A406 East bound re-opened, traffic flowing, very heavy residule traffic in the area. Officers remain in critical condition, next of kin in attendance. Thank you for your kind words.”

The arrested man remained in custody at a north London police station on Sunday morning.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard said: "The male officer sustained serious injuries; we await a further update as to his condition.

"The female officer sustained a number of fractures. Her condition is described as serious but stable.

"The woman who had been in the car, aged in her 40s, remains in hospital. She was not seriously injured."

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information should contact the Met's Serious Collision Investigation Unit at Alperton on 020 8991 9555 or via Twitter @MetCC or to give information anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. ​