A PENSIONER was in a 'critical condition' yesterday after suffering serious head injuries in an early-morning accident in Burnley.

The 70-year-old woman was rushed to the Royal Preston Hospital by ambulance after the incident on Padiham Road.

It took place opposite a convenience story near the junction with Middlesex Avenue.

The road was closed for three hours.

Police issued an appeal for information this evening.

A police spokesman said: "At around 9.30am on Saturday the woman, aged 70, was attempting to cross Padiham Road when she was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Transporter van which was heading towards Padiham.

"The woman suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital where she remains.

"The road was closed for three hours while an investigation at the scene was carried out."

Sgt Malcolm Bell, of the Road Policing Unit, said: “This collision has left an elderly woman in a critical condition in hospital and we are appealing to anyone who witnessed the incident to contact us.”

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 407 of 8th October.