WORRIED residents have called for traffic calming measures on a Blackburn road where a 17-year-old student was left fighting for her life following a car accident.

Sajida Esmail was left in a critical condition in hospital after she was struck by a car while trying to cross Shear Brow, Blackburn, on Monday night.

The teenager, who was due to start at Blackburn College this week, suffered serious head injuries in the collision, which trapped her under a Volkswagen Bora.

She was on her way to her home in Charlotte Street after visiting her sister Aysha Desai in nearby Holland Street around 9.30pm.

Blackburn with Darwen councillor Hussain Akhtar said the incident highlights the need for improved road safety measures to be introduced in the area.

He said: "I have been campaigning for something to be done to make this area safer for pedestrians."

Local resident Jani Yakub, who lives in London Road, said improvements need to be made.

He said: "It is terrible what happened. She is so young and such a nice girl.

"Something needs to be done to improve the safety on the road."

Sajida, a former Pleckgate High School pupil, is in the intensive care ward of the Royal Preston Hospital, where her family is at her bedside.

Police are still appealing for any witnesses to the accident, which happened around 9.30pm, to come forward.

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

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