A YOUNGSTER has regained consciousness after being knocked down minutes after he was grounded by his mother for stealing sweets.

Graham Wood, nine, of Howard Close, Accrington, spoke to his mother Janette, 29, yesterday afternoon from his hospital bed at Pendlebury Children's Hospital, Manchester.

He uttered the word 'mum'.

Doctors at the Intensive Care Unit told Miss Wood her son had not suffered any brain damage and were now considering transferring him to a regular ward.

The youngster had been told to stay at home on Wednesday morning by his mother after she had discovered he had stolen sweets from a local shop that day.

But minutes after he left the family home his mother received a frantic knock on her door from a neighbour, saying Graham had been knocked down on Blackburn Road near the junction of Curl Street.

Local newsagent Annie Shah said: "I've known the lad vaguely for a few years. He usually comes in with his mum or on his own and doesn't cause trouble. He is a nice kid."

Miss Wood added: "I was so relieved when he called me mum and I almost jumped for joy when the doctors told me he was going to be all right."