A PEDESTRIAN suffered serious injuries after he was mown down as two cars collided.

The 23-year-old was walking on the pavement in Manchester Road, Haslingden, at around 12.20am on Saturday when a Ford Fiesta and Renault Clio collided, then mounted the kerb and hit him.

Paramedics, police and firefighters were called and the man was taken to Fairfield General Hospital, Bury.

The road remained closed for around an hour while firefighters made the scene safe.

The 19-year-old driver of the Clio was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving, and remained in police custody on Saturday night while further investigations were made.

The pedestrian is still in hospital. His injuries were at first thought to be life-threatening, but police said he was now expected to make a recovery, though his injuries were serious.

Inspector Stuart Bruce, of Blackburn police, said: “The pedestrian has a broken thigh and a nasty head injury, which at first was thought to be life-threatening.

"But we have now heard from the hospital that, although he has been badly injured, his condition is not as serious as we had feared.

“This type of incident, involving a pedestrian on the pavement is very unusual.

"Our road policing teams will be carrying out thorough investigations.”

Any witnesses are asked to call Burnley police on 01282 425001.