A 21-YEAR-old woman suffered a broken neck in a road accident in the centre of Nelson in the early hours of today.

Claire Louise Clark, of Pinfold Place, Nelson, was crossing the A56 Leeds Road near its junction with Barkerhouse Road when she collided with a Volvo being driven on the A56 Leeds Road

She suffered a broken neck, and head injuries and was taken to Burnley General Hospital and has been unconscious since the accident at 12.45am today.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "Claire is being treated in the intensive care unit and her parents and brother are with her.

"She is still unconscious at the moment in time and is being treated at Burnley for the time being under instructions from specialists at Royal Preston."

The spokeswoman said Claire's condition was expected to be reviewed by consultants today and they would be liaising with Preston about where best to treat her.

The Volvo was driven by David Malcolm Woodhead, 54, of Lee Road, Nelson, who was not injured.

Police accident investigators closed the busy main road for three hours while they examined the scene.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the accident to contact PC Edwards at the road traffic unit at Colne on 01282 472431.