POLICE today appealed for witnesses to an accident which has left a man seriously injured in hospital.

Neil Heywood, 23, from Limefield Avenue, Whalley, was thrown out of his Vauxhall Nova after it came off the road in Whalley Old Road, Billington, yesterday lunchtime.

As the car turned over and crashed into a tree, Mr Heywood was thrown onto the road.

A passing doctor is thought to have raised the alarm and treated Mr Heywood at the scene. The air ambulance took Mr Heywood to the Royal Preston Hospital.

No other vehicle was involved in the crash, although police are appealing for witnesses who saw Mr Heywood's car before the 12.48pm crash, when it was being followed by a silver Vauxhall Corsa.

A spokesman for the Accrington Traffic Unit said: "We would be very interested to hear from anyone who saw the car, which was being accompanied by the Corsa, before the crash.

"There was only one vehicle involved in the actual crash.

Police closed the road to all traffic for several hours as crash officers inspected the scene, causing traffic jams during the afternoon.

Anyone who saw the cars should ring the police on 011254 353764.