A 17-year-old student is fighting for her life after she was struck by a car as she crossed a road in Blackburn.

Sajida Esmail suffered serious head injuries in the accident and she is being treated in the Royal Preston Hospital.

Yesterday was due to be the former Pleckgate High School pupil's first day studying a childcare course at Blackburn College.

She had been visiting her sister, Aysha Desai, before the incident in Shear Brow, near its junction with London Road.

Mrs Desai said the whole of her extended family was maintaining a bedside vigil at the hospital.

Sajida was leaving her sister's home in Holland Street on the way to her house in nearby Charlotte Street at the time of the accident, around 9.30pm on Monday.

She was struck by a Volkswagen Bora which was being driven up Shear Brow, away from Preston New Road.

Eyewitnesses said that the impact of the collision left Sajida trapped unconscious under the vehicle.

Jani Yakub, who lives in London Road, said he was among the first people at the scene after the accident.

He said: "It was terrible.

"We saw her under the car and she was unconscious.

"She looked in a very bad way and everyone thought she was dead.

"I know the family very well and we see Sajida all of the time. She is so young and such a nice girl."

Insp Bila Mulla, from Blackburn police, said that the driver of the Volkswagen stopped at the scene and has been interviewed by police.

Police officers are appealing for any witnesses to the accident to come forward.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Blackburn police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.