MOTORISTS drove past a girl as she lay seriously injured in the road, it emerged today.

Police investigating the mystery road accident which left the Blackburn teenager with serious injuries believe at least one motorist went past her as she lay unconscious at the side of the road.

Roberta Almond, 13, is still in intensive care at Pendlebury Children's Hospital, Manchester, where her parents are keeping a bedside vigil. Doctors say her condition is poorly, but stable.

The teenager, who was out delivering newspapers on her round for Revidge News, near her home in Revidge Road, was found lying on the pavement at around 6.30am on Friday.

Police are still baffled as to what caused the road accident.

Sgt Keith Jackson of the road policing unit at Accrington said: "At this stage we are not even sure whether the girl was hit by a car or hit her head on the pavement trying to avoid a vehicle.

"We would ask anybody who drives along that route to work and saw anything at all, either an accident or a car driving away from the scene, and anybody who may have damage to their car, in particular their wing mirror, to come forward so we can clarify exactly what happened.

"We believe at least one vehicle may have driven past the girl as she lay injured and we would also like to talk to that driver."

The owner of Revidge News, who asked not to be named, said: "I didn't see the accident itself, but I certainly hope that Roberta recovers as soon as possible.

"We were all shocked to hear the news and we've all got our fingers crossed for Roberta and her family that she's better in time for Christmas."

Anyone with information should call the road policing unit at Accrington on 01254 252767.