AN 11-year-old boy is still fighting for his life today after being struck by two cars while crossing the notorious Rawtenstall to Edenfield by-pass.

Parents of the boy, who lives in a children's home in Rossendale, were at his bedside today in the intensive care unit of the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital, Pendlebury, where he is in a critical condition after receiving serious head injuries.

They have asked for him not to be identified.

The unlit stretch of road, which links the M66 to Queens' Square roundabout in Rawtenstall, has three footpaths which cross the dual carriageways.

Two other pedestrians, a 12-year-old boy and a 33-year-old, have been killed trying to cross the stretch of road in the last eight years.

As a result lights have been installed on the side of the carriageways next to the location of the footpaths.

Campaigners have been calling for either the paths to be closed for good or footbridges to be introduced to stop people walking across the busy road.

The boy was struck by a Fiat car and then a Rover as he was crossing the north-bound carriageway walking behind a friend at 6.40pm on Wednesday.

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to contact the road policing unit on 01706 237464.