A HYNDBURN councillor's son is being treated at a military critical care unit after being seriously injured in Afghanistan.

Captain Kevin Hayes, 46, the son of Hyndburn councillor Doug and former mayor Sandra Hayes, was seriously injured in an incident which caused him to lose his spleen and left him with smashed ribs and damaged lungs.

Coun and Mrs Hayes of Merlin Drive, Oswaldtwistle did not learn the full extent of his injuries until yesterday afternoon when he was admitted to Selly Oak Military Hospital in Birmingham, where his wife Helen remains at his bedside.

Captain Hayes’ family are yet to be told what happened by army chiefs, except that Cpt Hayes, who is with 1st Battalion Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment, received initial treatment at Camp Bastion, Helmand Province.

Coun Hayes said: “He is still very poorly and we don’t know what other internal injuries there could be. They say he is strong enough to pull through.”

Captain Hayes, who grew up in Preston has two daughters Megan, 18 and Kelly, 23 who are receiving updates at their Bamber Bridge home.