Tyler Thomas (10) had urgent surgery after suffering multiple head injuries, including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.

He was taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital then transferred to intensive care at Pendlebury Children's Hospital, Manchester, after the accident at 6-25 p.m. on Saturday in Accrington Road.

The youngster, a pupil at Lowerhouse Junior School, was thought to have run after his football when the collision with a Citroen Synergy happened.

Tyler, of Padgate Place, had to have the pressure relieved from his brain and has dozens of stitches round his head. Yesterday he was moved from intensive care but is still on a drip and not fully conscious.

His brother Lewis (seven) and four-year-old sister Ellie are being cared for by family and friends while Tyler recovers.

Parents Sarah and John Thomas have been at his bedside since the accident. Sarah said: "Tyler is a lovely boy, he is always very pleasant and is a well-mannered child.

"He loves football more than anything. He is a good kid. We don't know anything about the accident yet. He has come round a little bit but he is not talking yet so we will have to wait to find out exactly what happened."

Police are investigating the incident and have carried out a full accident and vehicle investigations at the scene.