A CYCLIST was seriously injured when a car lost control and collided with him, according to police.

Paul Billington, 44, of Park Farm Road, Blackburn, needed hours of surgery after the accident on the A675 Blackburn Old Road, near Hoghton.

Inspector Steve Sansbury said Mr Billington had been cycling towards Blackburn when the driver of a Mazda travelling in the opposite direction lost control in the poor weather conditions.

The Mazda spun on the road, crossed the carriageway and collided with Mr Billington.

He suffered serious internal and pelvic injuries and was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary.

He underwent several hours of surgery and police said he was in the surgical high dependency unit recovering from surgery.

The Mazda driver, 17-year-old Jonathan Finney, also of Preston Old Road, Blackburn, suffered a shoulder injury and was treated at Blackburn Royal Infirmary and released.