A PENSIONER faces having a leg amputated after his motorcycle collided with a car in Briercliffe.

John Wilkinson, 66, of Halifax Road, Nelson, was taken to Burnley General Hospital with a severe compound fracture to his right leg after the accident on Wednesday.

He underwent an emergency operation overnight from Wednesday to yesterday to stop the loss of blood from his leg and doctors have said he may have to have part of his leg amputated.

Police said Mr Wilkinson was riding his Yamaha Virago 535cc when it collided with a silver Toyota Yaris at the Burnley Road and Nelson Road crossroads at Haggate, just outside the Sun Inn.

Mr Wilkinson was travelling along Nelson Road towards Worsthorne and the Toyota being driven by Barry Coatesworth, 33, of North Drive, Thornton Cleveleys, was coming from Burnley along Burnley Road.

Mr Coatesworth suffered minor injuries and today police appealed for witnesses to the accident, at 1.45pm, to come forward.

Police said the first night Mr Wilkinson was in hospital he had be lost a lot of blood but doctors had successfully stemmed the flow.

"He was losing blood that quickly that they thought they might lose him overnight," said PC Bob Southward.

"The hospital have said there is a possibility they might not be able to save his leg," he added.

Today Sergeant Gareth Hill, of Colne traffic police, said Mr Wilkinson had been taken off a ventilator, his condition had stabilised and he was now conscious.

"His leg is in a very poorly condition, at this present moment in time they do not know if they are going to have to remove it."

He said doctors were considering the possibility of transferring Mr Wilkinson to Royal Preston Hospital for further specialist surgery.

Anyone with information should call 01282 472486.