A 49-YEAR-OLD cyclist from Heaton has been released from hospital after being air-lifted with suspected spinal injuries.

The rider, of Albert Road, was cycling in the remote Trough Road, Trough of Bowland, Dunsop Bridge, on Saturday when he lost control of his bike and was thrown over the handlebars. He was released from Royal Preston Hospital after treatment.

The cyclist, of Albert Road, was thrown over the handlebars and landed in a ditch.

The area was difficult for ambulance crews to reach and the air ambulance was called.

He was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment and was discharged after treatment.

Air ambulance paramedic Jenny Edwards said: "He was coming down the hill on his racer and the road is quite steep. He lost control and went over the handlebars and into a ditch. The land crew would have taken 40 minutes to reach hospital whereas we flew in eight minutes.

"The incident happened in a very remote place and the road between the fells was quite tight to land."