A MAN suffered serious head injuries after his car left the road and smashed into a tree in Blackrod.

The driver, believed to be a local man, was injured when a silver Volkswagen Passat collided with a tree in Blundell Lane, near the junction with Little Scotland at 2.50pm on Thursday. He was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with head and internal injuries. Police today said he was recovering in hospital and his injuries were not thought to be life-threatening.

Police are appealing for anyone witnesses to contact the Road Policing Unit at Bolton on 0161 856 7201.