A MAN is critically ill in hospital after a car smashed into a lamp-post last night.

The blackVauxhall Vectra was heading down steep Moor Hill Road in Salendine Nook at 11pm when it careered off the road on the sharp left hand bend outside the Moor Hill Shopping Centre and hit the post.

Four men were in the car.

A 35-year-old passenger in the back suffered serious head injuries.

He was taken to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary and was said to be critically ill this morning.

Another passenger was also hurt, but was allowed home after hospital treatment. A third passenger was unhurt.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of drink driving. He was in custody at Huddersfield police station today.

All four men are in their late 20s or early 30s.

Crew manager Mark Hurd, of Huddersfield fire station, said: " The driver was trapped in the car.

"His seat had been shoved forward in the impact and he was squashed over the steering wheel, but told us he was OK.

"The crash had virtually snapped the lamp-post in half."

Police appealed for anyone who saw the Vauxhall Vectra before the crash to ring 01484 436847.