A bus has hit a stationary freight train near the French entrance to the Channel Tunnel, injuring the driver and 18 passengers, the French authorities say.

The bus, which was carrying lorry drivers due to take a shuttle rail service, struck the train at the loading platform of the tunnel in Coquelles, near Calais.

Two people were severely injured and evacuated by helicopter though no one's life appeared to be in danger, a local official said.

Local sub-prefect Agathe Cury said that freight traffic and Eurostar passenger traffic through the tunnel had not been disrupted by the incident, which occurred at 19:27 (17:27 GMT), apart from a brief stoppage to allow the injured to be evacuated.

Those involved in the crash are all men and of different nationalities, she added.

Photos published by local French newspaper La Voix du Nord, external show a small bus with damage to its front and side standing alongside a train, among a crowd of emergency workers.

Eurostar released an update saying: "An incident occurred several kilometers away from the Channel Tunnel.

"This incident does not involved or impact Eurostar trains running from and to London. All of Eurostar trains will run as expected."