A MAN left fighting for his life after he was knocked down by a van six weeks ago has come out of a coma.

Michael Welsby, aged 20, is on a life support machine at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

He suffered serious head and chest injuries when he was hit by a van while crossing Tonge Moor Road on August 14.

He underwent life-saving surgery at Hope Hospital, Salford, before being moved to the Royal Preston Hospital where he was kept in an induced coma.

Mr Welsby, of Blenheim Road, Breightmet, was moved to the Royal Bolton Hospital last Thursday.

His father Brian said: "He's still having problems with his breathing and he's on some drugs. He's responding to us now by nodding but he still can't speak. We're just so pleased that he has come round."