A TEENAGER knocked down on a pavement is now critically ill.

It was thought at first that 14-year-old Ben Forrest, who was hit while walking on the path alongside the Church and Oswaldtwistle railway station, had only suffered a broken arm and leg.

The youngster, who had been walking to Rhyddings High School, is now in a critical condition and has been transferred to Hope Hospital in Salford.

The incident happened at 8.30am on Wednesday when police said a silver Citroen Saxo travelling towards Church lost control, mounted the pavement and hit Ben.

A 26-year-old man who had been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving has been released without charge.