Six people have been taken to hospital tonight following a serious crash in Carlisle city centre.

Three pedestrians including a 79-year-old, a white taxi and black Ford Fiesta car were involved, police say.

The collision happened at about 7pm outside the Border Rambler pub.

As an investigation began, police at the scene told that News & Star that the Ford Fiesta mounted the pavement and collided with a number of pedestrians outside the entrance to the popular pub.

Full details about what happened and who were involved are not yet known.

But Cumbria Police said in a statement: "Police are dealing with a road traffic collision on Botchergate, outside the Rambler pub.

"This is not being treated as a deliberate act.

"Injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.

"All parties involved are currently being supported by emergency services and the police are not looking for anyone else in connection to the incident."

Hundreds of people were likely to be in the area at the time, at the start of a busy Saturday night.

Botchergate is usually closed at 9pm on Saturday as the number of revellers there hits its peak for the week, but the road was closed earlier than normal this evening to allow emergency services to reach the scene, treat those involved and recover the vehicles.

At the height of the emergency response, around a dozen police cars and vans were seen in Botchergate helping to maintain cordons and bring in road accident investigators.

A fire crew was also in attendance as were the North West Ambulance Service.

There were also two recovery vehicles.

An investigation into what happened has been launched and work began to clear the scene at around 9pm.

Inspector Steve Minnikin moved to quash rumours that were quickly circulating on social media.

He said: "Initially people on social media thought it was a terrorist attack but that is not true."

Most of those injured and taken to the city's Cumberland Infirmary have been described by officers as 'walking wounded' but one is suspected to have suffered a broken knee and there are concerns another could be seriously hurt and is undergoing further tests.