BUS passengers had a narrow escape in Blackwood today after a bus crashed into a lamp post.

Eight people were on the Stagecoach bus when it collided into the central reservation just before 11.30am in the town's High Street.

The lamp post went through the glass door of nearby hairdressers Talk of The Town.

High Street was closed in both directions while two ambulances, a rapid response car, three police cars and a fire engine were at the scene.

The Welsh Ambulance Service said two female passengers were treated at the scene for minor cuts and bruises while another woman was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport with minor injuries.

Naomi Edwards, 21, was working at the hairdressers when the crash happened.

She said: "I was sitting at the reception desk reading a book when I heard this huge bang. I went flying back on my chair in shock as glass went flying everywhere."

She added: "It was a good job the lamp post was there otherwise the bus would have probably come into the shop."

Miss Edwards said the impact smashed a cabinet causing around £300 worth of damage to stock and equipment.

Staff from nearby JW Homes were first on the scene.

Rachel Roberts from the office said she looked out and saw the bus and heard a loud bang as the front door of Talk of The Town smashed.

She said her initial fear was that someone might be trapped under the bus.

Ms Roberts said she and colleagues ran on to the bus and said one elderly woman at the back of the bus had injured her leg while another elderly woman at the front of the bus had hurt her knee, had a lump on her head and was in shock.

Ms Roberts said the driver was apologetic and shook up.

High Street remains cordoned off at the bottom of Gordon Road today.

A spokesman for Stagecoach in South Wales said: "We are currently carrying out a full and thorough investigation into the cause of the accident including a review of CCTV footage."