THREE people died in a horror crash between a car and a lorry in Monmouthshire yesterday.

Abergavenny husband and wife Roger and Deidre Collett died after the vehicles collided on a bridge over the River Monnow, on the Herefordshire border.

Mr Collett, a milkman, and his wife, who were in their 50s, lived on Wern Gifford Estate, Pandy.

The couple's son, Steve, plays football for Goytre, who have cancelled the weekend's matches as a mark of respect. It is understood they also have a daughter, who is away at university.

The football club's secretary, David Melmoth, said: "They were a lovely couple who supported our games for several years."

The third victim in the crash, which happened at 2.30pm on the A465 Pontrilas to Pandy Road, was from Herefordshire.

Locals say the lorry, which was heading for Hereford, shed its load on the car.

The busy road was closed until after midnight as emergency services worked to clear the wreckage.

A spokeswoman from Hereford and Worcester Fire Service confirmed: "Three people had to be recovered from the wreckage."

An air ambulance, ambulances and fire engines and rescue tenders from the South Wales Fire Service and the Hereford and Worcester Fire Service attended.

Lorries and other heavy goods vehicles were forced to find new routes through nearby villages and winding country lanes as long traffic queues built up around the scene.

Ken Palmer, of nearby Llangua village, said: "We need a new bridge to make this road safe. Unfortunately, accidents are not rare here."

James Stark, who owns Powells Forest and Garden in Llangua, said: "The bridge is a problem because of the bends in the road, if people approach it at speed, which they are legally entitled to do, then accidents like this will continue to happen."

In Grosmont, motorists abandoned their journeys last night as gridlock was caused by diverted lorries negotiating the small lanes.

Monmouthshire county councillor Bob Wilcox, who lives in Grosmont, said: "The bridge is at right angles to the road and is a very dangerous turn to try at high speed. Unfortunately, there is more traffic on the road than ever, much of it lorries avoiding using the Severn Bridge.

"Many accidents have happened - I've known lorries to end up in the river. "The road between the bridge and Abergavenny has been improved in the recent past but the bridge hasn't been touched for years, something must be done."

Former plans for Llangua bypass to straighten the access route over the river were abandoned because of financial reasons.

West Mercia Police, who are dealing with the incident, are appealing for witnesses to contact them on 08457 444888.