A MOTORCYCLIST was seriously injured in a crash.

Emergency services were called to A671 Padiham Road, Burnley, shortly after 2.40pm following the smash involving a black car and a motorbike.

The rider of the motorcycle suffered serious leg injuries and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance. It is not known whether the driver of the car was hurt, police and ambulance have said.

Lancashire Telegraph:

An 18-year-old woman, who moved into a house on Burnley's Romford Road, near the scene of the crash, said: "It was very upsetting. I have been told this place is a nice and quiet area so it's shocking to hear that something like this has happened. I hope the rider can pull through."

The road was closed between the Tim Bobbin pub and Lockyer Avenue for four hours, between 2.45pm and around 6pm. Emergency services, including several police cars and two ambulances, have attended.

A police spokesman said: "We were called to A671 Padiham Road, Burnley, at around 2.45pm following a crash. A motorcyclist has suffered a serious leg injury. Road closures have been put in place and we are still at the scene."

An ambulance spokesman added: "We attended the scene following a collision between a car and a motorcyclist at around 2.43pm.

Lancashire Telegraph:

"There was air ambulance, two ambulances and advanced paramedic. A man was taken to Royal Preston Hospital by air ambulance."

Burnley Bus Company had tweeted earlier in the day to say its mainline service toward Padiham would be affected. However services have now resumed following the reopening of the road.

A spokesman said: "We have just been informed there has been an accident between Tim Bobbin pub and Lockyer Avenue. Our mainline service toward Padiham will divert via Ightenhill Park Lane then down Lakeland Way resuming service at Anglesey Avenue both directions."