A CYCLIST who was knocked off his bike in a hit-and-run collision is devastated after being told he may never be able to straighten his arm fully again.

Russell Hart, 50, had to undergo painful surgery to fit metal wires and plates into his right elbow to help the bones reset after he was thrown from his bike by a black Vauxhall Corsa that tried to overtake him in Railway View Road, near Wadd-ington.

He was training for the ‘Ride with Brad’ event yesterday, when the accident happened on Thur-sday August 9, at around 3pm.

The North Lancashire Riding Club member is now recovering at home, but the consultant at the Royal Blackburn Hospital , where Mr Hart was treated, has told him his injuries were so bad that he is unlikely to be able to completely stretch the arm out again.

The injury has forced the father-of-two, who lives in Burnley Lane, Huncoat, with his wife Debbie, to quit cycling. He said: “One of the lads from the club said I would soon get back on my bike, but I won’t be riding again.

“It doesn’t matter how good you are, it doesn’t stop accidents like that happening.

“I don’t want to risk it. It is not fair on my wife and she is really upset.

“I will have to find a different sport, but I did really like cycl-ing.”

He is now continuing his rec-overy with check-ups and physio- therapy at Burnley General Hospital.

He said: “My arm is going to remain in a cast.

“I have to go and get it checked every week because there is still quite a big wound where I grazed it.

“The consultant said I will never be able to straighten my arm out fully again, but I am determined to get it the best I can. I have to just work at it.”

Mr Hart has been told he will not be able to go back to his job as a lorry driver for some time.

Police are still appealing for information about the incident, and anybody with details is asked to call 01254 353210.