A FORKLIFT truck had to be called in to move a 4x4 and its trailer after it was involved in a three-car collision outside Torquay's cemetery.

The Land Rover Discovery was travelling along Barton Road towards the Torquay Community College building site when it is understood to have been in collision with a parked red Audi estate.

It is then believed to have also collided with a parked black Renault Clio, taking out a large chunk of its engine block.

The front passenger wheel axle of the 4x4 collapsed, with the Discovery and trailer skidding across the road.

No one was hurt in the crash which happened at 10am yesterday near the junction with Audley Avenue.

The registered keeper of the vehicle comes from Exeter.

The two parked cars were a Torquay-owned black Renault Clio and a red Audi A8 with a keeper from Paignton.

Sgt Steve Rooke, who attended the scene, said: "It looks like the 4x4 and trailer was coming down Barton Road on its way to the school site.

"It was in collision with one car then the next. We don't quite yet know if it lost its axle as a result of the collision or before the collision.

"Builders were already on scene managing traffic when we got there. They volunteered to help move the car and trailer with the forklift truck. Everyone worked together."

John Wheatley, site manager with Interserve at Torquay Community College, was the first on scene.

He said: "I didn't see the collision but I came out of the construction site and I saw something was not right.

"I started directing traffic.

"We've got the right kit on the site so we thought we'd help move the 4x4 out of the way and get traffic moving again."