SAFETY campaigners today warned holidaymakers about the dangers of hiring mopeds abroad after a Blackburn woman was seriously injured in an accident.

Kelly Ainsworth, 24, of Cleveleys Road, suffered serious head injuries in an accident in Malia, on the Greek island of Crete.

Her family have flown out from Blackburn to be by her bedside and she remained in a critical condition today.

Today, a spokesman for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "We would advise people not to hire mopeds or scooters when on holiday.

"People don't know the roads, what the driving of other people in the country is like, or the condition the vehicles are kept in. These accidents sadly aren't that rare."

Safety campaigners are concerned that some rental firms in Mediterranean countries don't insist on holidaymakers wearing helmets and that insurance provides poor cover.

Thomas Cook, the company which Kelly used to book her holiday, urges holidaymakers to be careful about which scooter hire firm they use, and encourages them to read "the small print."

And the Foreign Office has confirmed it warns travellers against hiring scooters in Greece because of the dangers.

A spokesman said: "British motorists visiting Greece and those hiring vehicles locally should be extra cautious in view of the very high incidence of road traffic accidents.

"You are strongly advised not to hire motorcycles, scooters and mopeds, as accidents involving these forms of transport are common and can often result in very serious or even fatal injury.

"Greek law requires you to wear a crash helmet on a scooter, moped or motorcycle."

Kelly underwent a series of operations at the weekend to try and stabilise her condition.