A CYCLIST is seriously ill after being knocked off his bike during the evening rush hour.

The man, believed to be in his 50s or 60s, suffered serious head injuries after a collision with a silver BMW in Syke Street, close to Tesco in Haslingden at around 5.45pm today.

He was flown to hospital by air ambulance in a serious condition, police said.

Inspector Ilyas Mohamed said: “The road is closed and will be for a few hours.

"Specialist traffic officers are dealing with the incident, and some are heading to hospital to speak with the injured party. It is serious.”

Traffic queued between the Bent Gate roundabout in Manchester Road and Haslingden Road as commuters made their way home from work.

An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway.

Nobody was arrested in the immediate aftermath, Insp Mohamed added.