AN ELEVEN-year-old boy narrowly escaped having his foot amputated after he was knocked down by a car.

Junaid Hussain from Every Street in Nelson was walking in nearby Pendle Street at 7pm last night, when he was struck by an L reg red Toyota Corolla, near the mosque.

He sustained a severe fracture to his left foot, and was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he underwent two operations.

Police said it was feared his foot would have to be amputated but the operations were a success, and Junaid was yesterday said to be making good progress.

Surgeons hope that Junaid, a pupil at Lomeshaye Junior School in Nelson, will be discharged from hospital in the next few days.

The collision is still being investigated, and officers from Pennine Division's Road Policing Unit are appealing for witnesses to the collision.

The driver of the Toyota remained at the scene to speak to police, and it is not yet known if an offence was committed in the incident.

Pendle Street was closed to traffic for several hours whilst the boy was treated and police began their investigation.

The officer in charge of the investigation PC Rod Graham said: "Luckily the quick and successful medical treatment received meant the young lad has not been left with a very serious injury.

"We are appealing for anyone who witnessed this collision to come forward."

Anyone with any information should contact the Road Policing Unit on 01282 472431 or 01282 472486.