A SCHOOLGIRL was seriously ill in hospital last night after being knocked down by a car.

The 12-year-old girl was struck close to Deerness Sports Centre, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham City, at about 3.30pm today.

The girl, who has not been named but is thought to be from the Ushaw Moor area, suffered severe head injuries in the accident.

She also sustained a suspected broken wrist and cuts to the chin.

Due to the nature of her injuries, the victim was anaesthetised at the scene of the accident and was airlifted to James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by the Great North Air Ambulance.

Her condition was last night described as serious but stable.