A MAN has been taken to hospital with "serious injuries" which he suffered during a mountain bike accident.

Shortly after 11am on July 3, Bolton Mountain Rescue were called to an incident in Rivington Gardens, where a 37-year-old had fallen off his bike while riding in a woodland area.

The man received pain relief medication before being carried 200m on a stretcher to the waiting ambulance.

He was transferred to Salford Royal Hospital, but his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

A Bolton Mountain Rescue spokesperson said: "At 11:02 yesterday morning we were contacted by North West Ambulance Service NHS Trust, who were requesting our assistance at an incident in Rivington Terraced Gardens.

"A 37-year-old male had had a mountain biking accident while riding through the woods. He had fallen while riding down a very steep obstacle, and landed hard.

Team members were quickly on scene, and assessed the casualty, administered pain relief medication and immobilised him.

"As evacuation was about to begin we were joined by an ambulance crew. The casualty was carried on one of our stretchers from a difficult to access location, about 200 metres to the waiting ambulance.

The casualty was then assessed further and ultimately taken to Salford Royal Hospital where his injuries are described as serious, but stable.