RUSH-HOUR traffic came to a standstill after a man was knocked down outside Darwen Cemetery.

Part of the A666 Bolton Road was shut after the accident at 7.30am yesterday.

Peter Dawson, 50, of Borough Road, Darwen, a worker at the cemetery, was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital with serious head injuries.

A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said the man was unconscious when para-medics arrived.

Appealing for witnesses a police spokeswoman said: "The man remains in hospital in a serious condition.

It appears he was hit by a silver or blue Citroen as he was walking across the road towards the cemetery.

Witnesses should contact our road policing unit in Accrington on 01254 353767."