A CRITICALLY injured motorist was airlifted to hospital after a head-on collision with another vehicle on Sunday afternoon.

Fire officers battled to cut Joan Miller, 49, of Hardy Mill Road, Bolton, out of her black Audi 80, which had collided with a Volkswagen Polo at 3.50pm yesterday on the Belmont Road between Belmont and Abbey Village.

She was taken by air ambulance to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where she is being treated in intensive care for internal and head injuries.

Her condition is said to be critical.

Police officers say the other driver, James Lindsay, 18, of St Francis Road, Blackburn, had swerved into the central lane of the road after he had failed to negotiate a tight bend, when he collided with the Audi.

He freed himself from the wreckage before ambulance drivers arrived, who took him to Blackburn Royal Infirmary, where he was treated for a broken wrist.

Police officers set up a road block for more than three hours to clear the wreckage and inspect the area for evidence.

At least ten police officers, three fire service vehicles and the ambulance service were at the scene of the crash.

Police officers are appealing to anyone who saw what happened and would like members of the public to call 01254 353767.