A 68-year-old woman suffered life-changing injuries after being knocked down by her neighbour.

Blackburn magistrates heard Shirley England had nearly reached the opposite kerb when she was struck by a car driven by Joanne Parkinson who had cut the corner.

She suffered a fractured hip and broken shoulder and spent two and a half months in hospital.

Parkinson, 48, of Mavis Drive, Coppull, was convicted after a trial of causing serious injury through careless driving. She was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 200 hours unpaid work. She was ordered to pay £200 compensation, £650 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Peter Bardsley, prosecuting, said Mrs England was at home on March 17, 2023, and was feeling fed up because she hadn't been out all day. She decided to walk to the nearby British Legion and was just three steps from crossing Mavis Drive when she was struck by a car driven by her neighbour.

"She didn't remember anything until she woke up in hospital a few weeks later," said Mr Bardsley.

In a victim personal statement, Mrs England said she would rather be dead than have a life where she needed constant care.

In a statement made in August, 15 months after the incident, she said she had been left with limited mobility and was unable to walk more than a few steps.

She said she struggled to complete the everyday tasks she had always undertaken and was having to pay for carers, gardeners and cleaners.

"I don't feel I have a life anymore," she said. "I have to rely on other people to do things for me and I have lost my independence."

David Scully, defending, said it was established during the trial that the accident had happened in a poorly lit area, it was raining and the aggrieved had been wearing dark clothing.

He said his client was fully insured and the insurance company would be paying compensation to Mrs England.