A CYCLIST suffered severe head injuries when he was involved in a collision with a sheep on a country road.

John McAulay, 47, went over the handlebars when he was cycling with a friend in the Trough of Bowland near Whitewell, yesterday evening.

Mr McAulay of Cartmell Drive, Burnley, was take to hospital in Preston, where he was found to have a fractured skull.

He has been admitted to the neurological unit where his condition this morning was described as stable.

Mr McAulay is a partner at Read Car Show, Read. Another partner, Ray Duckworth, said: "John is a keen cyclist and had just gone out for a ride in the country. A friend had telephoned him and they took their bikes on top of a car and went off for a ride.

"I received a telephone call from his brother, Tony, to tell me about the accident."

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