POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 41-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman died, when they crashed near the lethal Leadburn junction on Sunday.

A member of the public raised the alarm shortly before 1pm, when a silver Vauxhall Zafira and a red Honda Jazz collided on a stretch of the A6094 between Leadburn and Howgate near to the Leadburn Inn.

The man and woman were pronounced dead at the scene.

The road was closed in both directions for around six hours to allow collision investigation work to be carried out.

Sergeant Ross Drummond of the Road Policing Unit based in Dalkeith said: "My thoughts and condolences are today with the loved ones of both drivers at this difficult time.

"A thorough investigation is now underway into the full circumstances and I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, the Scottish Ambulance Service and everyone who assisted in the immediate aftermath of this collision.

"There were several members of the public who we understand stopped to help and left the scene before speaking with police. I would encourage them to come forward, even if they didn't see the collision itself but offered some assistance.

"There are no known eyewitnesses to this collision and I urge anyone who was travelling in the area and who saw either the silver Vauxhall Zafira or a red Honda Jazz prior to this incident to contact police immediately if not already done so."

Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or alternatively an anonymous report can be made through the charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.