POLICE today said they were baffled over the cause of a road accident which left a teenager with serious injuries.

The parents of 13-year-old Roberta Almond were keeping a vigil at their daughter's bedside in Pendlebury Children's Hospital where she was unconscious and suffering "serious" head injuries.

The incident happened shortly before 6.30am yesterday as the girl was delivering newspapers on her round for Revidge News near her home in Revidge Road, Blackburn. She was found lying on the pavement after the driver of a car which collided with her failed to stop.

Police said the driver may not have known the girl had been injured and appealed for anybody with information to come forward to help solve the mystery.

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 newsagents, who asked not to be named, said: "I didn't see the accident itself but I certainly hope that she 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 353767.