A YOUNG girl was hit by a car on her way to her school this morning.

The 5-year-old was seriously injured as she made her way to Clarendon Primary School at about 8.50am.

She was in the road at the time she was struck by a yellow Peugeot 307 hatchback travelling eastbound at the junction of Bridgeman Street and Recreation Street in Bolton outside the school.

Neighbour Mohammad Fiaz, of Bridgeman Street, said: "The girl is in the Reception class. Her family lives in the houses behind the school here.

"She was riding a child's scooter and usually she went to school on it.

"Her grandfather was following her and suddenly the girl came into the road and the crash with the car happened.

"She's got serious injuries. It's very shocking."

A spokeswoman for North West Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 8.51am to outside Clarendon Primary School and we have taken a patient to Manchester Royal Infirmary by ambulance.

"She had head injuries and a leg injury." 

Police arrived on the scene and the area remained closed to the public for hours while investigations are carried out.

Sergeant Lee Westhead from GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "Our thoughts are with the little girl and we are doing everything we can to comfort and support her family at this dreadful time. 

"My officers are working hard to establish the full circumstances of what happened this morning which led to the young girl being involved in a collision with a car.

"I would like to appeal to anyone who saw this incident to contact police at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741."

The driver was not arrested and Bridgeman Street was closed westbound at the junction with Fletcher Street and both ways at its junction with High Street.

Clarendon Primary School relocated about 18 months ago into new premises built on Heywood Park.

There is a zebra crossing leading up to the eastern entrance gates of the school site but none near the less well-used western entrance close to where the collision occured.

One parent said: "A lollipop lady would help a lot. I just hope the girl's OK."

Vicky Chatterjee, the headteacher of Clarendon Primary School, said: "There was a serious incident outside the school and our thoughts are with the family at this time."

Anyone with any information can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.