Four separate investigations have been launched by traffic police after seven people were seriously injured in four accidents on roads in Preston and South Ribble at the weekend.

In one, four people were taken to Royal Preston Hospital after a blue Nissan Micra smashed into the concrete wall on the sliproad to the Market Car Park, Ringway, Preston, at about 2.40pm on Sunday, October 30.

The 19-year-old driver suffered severe facial inquires, a 67-year-old man had multiple fractures to his body, a 14-year-old boy broke his ankle and a 51-year-old woman had internal injuries. One 28-year-old escaped without injury. All were passengers in the car.

Another man, from Liverpool, is in a critical condition after he lost control of his Honda Civic on the M6 northbound at junction 28, Leyland, at about 2.40pm on Saturday.

He was trapped in his car for 30 minutes until fire crews from Chorley and Leyland could release him and the North West Air Ambulance took him to Royal Preston Hospital.

Also in Preston, a 23-year-old woman, received head injuries when she was knocked off her bike by a Vauxhall Zafira at the junction of Flintoff Way and Deepdale Road at 410pm on Friday, October 28.

And a man suffered severe facial injuries when his blue BMW 318 hit the kerb in Longridge Road, near Preston Crematorium, and rolled over several times, at about 11pm on Sunday.

PC Dave Taylor of the Road Policing Unit, based in Preston, said: "Investigations have been launched into all of the incidents.

"It was an incredibly busy weekend and there are a lot of people who have been injured. We want any witnesses who may have seen what happened at any of the incidents to come forward as this information could be vital."

Anyone with information should contact Preston police on 01772 203203.