A 13-YEAR-old boy was left seriously injured after running out into the path of a car.

Richard Johnston suffered serious head injuries, a broken collar bone, a suspected fracture of his eye socket and multiple cuts and bruises after the accident in Wood End Lane, Clayton-le-Woods.

The driver of the car, a blue Saab, was arrested and taken to Chorley police station on suspicion of drink driving but was later released without charge.

Richard's mother, Julia, 30, was due to spend her birthday in Royal Preston Hospital with him today after his condition improved.

But her boyfriend, Lancashire Evening Telegraph reporter Simon Haworth, 25, said: "At one point we thought we were going to lose Richard, so it doesn't matter that we have had to cancel everything we had planned for Julia's birthday.

"Having him is the only present she wants."

Richard, a pupil at Balshaw's High School, Leyland, was struck by the car at 7.40pm on Thursday while playing with friends.

A police spokesman said: "Three police cars arrived at the scene at 7.45.

"A young male pedestrian was immediately taken to hospital and a male driver was arrested and taken to Chorley Police station."

The car driver was later released without charge.

Julia, a student nurse, of Black Croft, Clayton-le-Woods, was "shocked" about what happened but relived that her son had improved.

Simon added: "Richard has been exceptionally brave throughout his ordeal and is looking forward to seeing his friends again."