A SIX-YEAR-OLD boy is "stable" in hospital after an accident with a double-decker bus on a pelican crossing.

Jamie Lee Pennington was taken to Bury General Hospital with severe head injuries following the accident outside Rising Bridge post office in Blackburn Road on Saturday.

The youngster from Belgrave Street, Rising Bridge, was later transferred to Booth Hall hospital where his condition was described as serious but stable.

People living in the small community have been left shocked and upset by the accident.

Many residents from the area believe that the crossing is dangerous and that motorists coming off the busy A56 by-pass drive too quickly through their village.

Steve Nicholls, who runs the post office with his wife, said: "I did didn't see the accident myself but from what I have been told the youngster was crossing the road with his mum and sister. "Rising Bridge is a very small community and when something like this happens it is bound to have an effect on everybody.

"There have always been a lot of complaints about people speeding through the village and four years ago we had a similar accident when a little girl was knocked over on the main road."

Mr Nicholls added: "There is a lot of ill feeling and a most of the mums in the area are up in arms about the situation."

The Rossendale Transport owned bus was driven by Mohammed Aslam, aged 53, from Newfield Drive, Nelson.

The accident took place shortly before noon and an ambulance crew from Stacksteads attended the scene.

Rawtenstall police were making further inquiries about the incident later today.

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