A young boy has been taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital with serious injuries after being knocked off his bike on a busy main road.

Emergency services were called to Livesey Branch Road in Blackburn, close to Pinewood at around 2.20pm on Thursday.

It is believed the boy had been knocked off his bike by a van on Pinewood and has suffered serious leg injuries.

An ambulance, the air ambulance, and two rapid response vehicle were sent to the incident along with the police, who have closed off a section of the road between The Evergreens and Beachwood Drive.

A spokesperson for the police said: "We were called at 2.20pm to Pinewood just off Livesey Branch Road.

"A man driving a van has collided with a boy who has been cycling.

"At this stage we have no details on the age of the boy but we believe he has suffered serious leg injuries and is being treated by the paramedics.

"There is a road closure in place from The Evergreens to Beachwood Drive."

A spokesperson for the ambulance service said: "We sent one ambulance and two rapid response vehicle to attend as well as the air ambulance.

"The boy has been airlifted to the major trauma unit at Alder Hey Children's Hospital with serious injuries."