A TEENAGE boy remained in a critical condition last night after he was knocked off his bicycle following a collision with a car.

Police are investigating the crash in Roundhill Road, Hurworth Moor, near Darlington, at 8pm on Wednesday in which the 13-year-old was seriously injured.

Police said there was a "substantial" impact between his bike and a Rover Estate car.

Officers sealed offthe road for more than two hours to carry out an investigation, diverting villagers along other access roads into Hurworth.

The boy was initially taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, but was transferred to The James Cook Hospital, in Middlesbrough, where his condition was yesterday described as critical, but stable.

Police want to speak to a second cyclist, believed to be a friend of the boy, who was in the area but left the scene without leaving details.

The road is a known accident blackspot with one villager calling it "lethal". Along with Croft Road, it was the first road in the village to be monitored by volunteers on the Community Speedwatch programme when the scheme launched in January last year.

Months earlier, a resident told a parish council meeting: "Roundhill Road is a no-go area for people walking or cycling, unless they are mad."

Another villager said yesterday: "That road is lethal.

Children come up and down on their bikes in the dark to see their friends without their lights on. It's awful."

A number of accidents have occurred on the road in the past, some of which have resulted in cyclists being knocked down. In 1993, school secretary Edna Golightly was killed while jogging.

In 2001, a chicane was installed close to the village, but campaigners have complained that cars still reach speeds of 60mph with particular trouble spots including a blind bend and a rise in the road.

Ward councillor Martin Swainston said last night there were problems with speeding on the road and its junction with Croft Road in the centre of the village.

The cyclist or witnesses are asked to contact police on 0345-60-60-365, asking for the Collision Investigation Unit.