A GRANDFATHER was in intensive care today after he was knocked off his motorbike by a speeding car which was being followed by the police.

Frank Almond, 54, suffered serious head injuries in the accident last night and was taken to Blackburn Royal Infirmary where his condition was today described as "poorly but stable."

The driver and passenger of the saloon car were also injured.

Today Mr Almond's partner, Janet Kennedy, of Leopold Way, in the Higher Croft area of Blackburn, said the family spent last night at his bedside.

And she revealed that the family had not been told the car was being followed by police at the time of the accident.

Police are considering whether to launch their own internal inquiry into what happened and have notified the Police Complaints Authority.

All three men are to be questioned about the incident as soon as they are well enough.

Janet and Mr Almond's three children from a previous marriage, Janine Briggs, Donna Almond and Damian Almond, were due back at the hospital today.

Janet said Mr Almond had suffered internal bleeding and was being kept unconscious by doctors.

He may be transferred to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, which specialises in treating head and internal injuries.

She said: "Everybody is very upset. He had been to a mate's house and was on his way home.

"We didn't know the police were following the car. If the police were chasing these cars down a residential area then to me that is wrong."

Police said the accident happened at the junction of Rothesey Road at 9.25pm after the Granada saloon was followed by officers who spotted it speeding.

Members of the public helped the driver and passenger from the car, which overturned following the collision.

Faizal Khan, 21, of St James Road, Blackburn, suffered a back injury and is expected to remain in hospital for some weeks.

Sajid Hussain, 25, of Castle Street, Brierfield, suffered minor injuries and was expected to be discharged in the next couple of days.

Inspector Stuart Coates, force incident manager, said: "An officer driving a Lancashire constabulary road policing patrol car observed a Ford Granada motor vehicle travelling at an excessive speed on Accrington Road, Blackburn.

"Owing to the dangerous manner of the driving of this vehicle the officer commenced to follow it but remained at some distance behind.

"The vehicle travelled on to Shadsworth Road and continued at excessive speed out of site of the police officer.

"At the junction of Shadsworth Road and Rothesey Road the Ford Granada was in collision with a Honda 800cc motorcycle. The vehicle then collided with railings and overturned."

The road was closed for almost five hours after the accident as police launched a full investigation into the incident and firefighters made the area safe after petrol leaked across the road.

Police have appealed for witnesses to both incidents on Accrington Road and Shadsworth Road to contact Blackburn police on 01254 51212.