A YOUTH is fighting for his life after being hit by a car as he wandered across a motorway in pitch darkness.

The 17-year-old from Westhoughton, was crossing the M61 motorway, between junction 5 and 6 near Middlebrook, when he was knocked down by a Fiat Punto.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene by the stunned driver of the car, who was driving along the northbound carrigeway towards Preston at the time of the crash.

The victim was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital before being transferred to a specialist head injuries unit at Salford's Hope Hospital, where his condition is described as "critical".

He was not carrying any identification but is described as a white male, aged 17, about 5ft 8ins tall and has short, light-coloured hair.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "It's not clear what this person was doing on the motorway and until we are able to interview him or somebody who knows him comes forward, it will be difficult to establish that.

"This part of the motorway is not lit at night and is a very dangerous place for pedestrians to be crossing.

"It's fair to say that the driver of the car was startled and had little chance to stop or avoid the pedestrian.

"It's very important that we identify this young man because he is somebody's son and it may be that they are very worried about him."

Anybody with information is asked to contact police on 0161 872 5050.