A TEENAGER has been hit by a car and knocked off his bicycle outside a secondary school.

Emergency services were called to the scene of the crash outside Hummersknott Academy, off Edinburgh Drive, in Darlington shortly after 8am on Wednesday morning.

Police and paramedics arrived to give the cyclist medical treatment, however it is understood his injuries are not serious.

The school's headteacher has now called for more robust road safety measures to be taken for all children travelling to and from schools in the Darlington borough.

Principal James Keating: “Our school takes the development of road safety for its children seriously and to this end, offer enhanced cycle training courses and give regular information to students around safe riding and the importance of correct safety equipment.

“This also includes the distribution of free bike lights to all students who request them.

“Staff also perform supervisory duties around the immediate area of the school before and after school to make the journey for cyclists and those walking to the site as safe as it can be."

He added: “We would welcome further conversations with the Darlington Borough Council Highways department around additional safety measures outside of school to avoid any repeat of this avoidable incident which might have had tragic consequences.”

Hummersknott Academy schools around 1,250 pupils aged eleven to sixteen in Darlington and witnesses who may have been in the area at the time are asked to contact police with information.

A spokeswoman for Durham Police said: “Police received a call following a collision between a car and a cyclist on Edinburgh Drive, in Darlington, shortly after 8am on Wednesday morning. A teenager was treated by paramedics at the scene.

“Witnesses are asked to call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident 46 of May 22.”