A MOTORCYCLIST was airlifted to hospital with serious chest injuries after he came off his bike on a remote country road yesterday.

Mountain rescue volunteers joined emergency services to help rescue the man.

The biker, in his 30s, was riding a T-registration Honda 600cc bike southbound through the Trough of Bowland, near Dunsop Bridge, when the accident happened.

The rider, from Burscough, near Ormskirk, was in front of a friend on another bike, when his machine left the road, police said.

He was thrown from the bike and crashed into metal railings, sustaining chest, abdomen and leg injuries.

It is believed the bike was travelling at around 40mph when the accident happened at 2.25pm.

His friend called the emergency services and Bowland Mountain Rescue, the North West Air Ambulance and paramedics were called to the scene.

The injured man was taken to Royal Preston Hospital and his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Insp Steve Haworth, of Blackburn police, said: "It's not yet known why the bike left the road.

"But this stretch of road, through the Trough, is renowned for its sharp bends.

"The road was closed for three hours while an investigating team examined the scene to try and find out what happened.

"The injuries were initally thought to be life-threatening, but I would say they are more likely to be life-changing."