THE parents of a young Nelson woman who suffered a broken neck and serious head injuries in a road accident at the weekend are waiting in hope after their daughter underwent an operation at Royal Preston Hospital.

Claire Clark, 21, of Pinfold Place, Nelson, was described as 'stable' by hospital staff shortly before the operation, in which a bone was removed from her thigh and put into her neck.

But her father, Alan Clark, said it is too early to know how successful the operation has been.

Claire, who lived with her parents Alan and Carol, in Brentwood Road, Nelson until six weeks ago, regained consciousness before the operation, when she opened her eyes and tried to move her head.

She received her injuries when she was hit by a car as she crossed Leeds Road, near its junction with Seldon Street, in the early hours of Saturday.

Claire was transferred to Preston Royal Hospital on Sunday after remaining unconscious in the high dependency unit at Burnley General Hospital when she was described as 'very poorly'.

Mr Clark said: "She's only just had the operation so we won't know how it has gone for a few days.

"It is now very much a case a case of waiting to find out."

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident which involved a Volvo 440 driven by David Woodhead, 54, of Lee Road, Nelson, who was not injured.

Anyone with information should contact Colne traffic police on 01282 472431.