A 77-YEAR-OLD woman is fighting for her life in hospital after she was hit by a car in Kearsley, leaving her with serious head injuries.

The woman, named locally as Pauline Bradburn, was hit by a black Toyota Yaris while she was using a pedestrian crossing in Manchester Road, near Clifton, at about 9.15am on Saturday.

A police spokesman said Mrs Bradburn is still in hospital in a critical but stable condition.

Police closed both sides of the road as they combed the area for evidence, causing delays for motorists and trapping vehicles in nearby side roads.

The incident happened on the crossing near the junction of Cedar Drive and Lawefield Crescent.

Residents were unable to drive from the scene for about four hours, and traffic was backing up to Bolton Road.

Mrs Bradburn, who lives in Lawefield Crescent, is believed to have been going out for a newspaper when she was hit, leaving her with serious head injuries.

Neighbours said Mrs Bradburn is a cub leader and a much-loved member of the community.

One neighbour, who asked not to be named, said: "She is a stalwart of the community.

"My sons are in their 30s now and they went to cubs when she was the leader, so they will be hoping she makes a recovery as well.

"She was widowed when her husband Geoff died a few years ago.

"She has been crossing that road for longer than some of the houses have been here around here.

"Everybody likes Pauline — we just hope she makes a recovery."

A nearby resident described the crossing as "dangerous", and said there had been a number of accidents there over the past few years.

He said: "I have seen about three accidents there recently — it is a very busy junction and there is a lot for drivers to pay attention to.

"I once saw someone being knocked off his motorbike by someone behind who had obviously not noticed.

"It can also get dangerous when the sun is low, because you get a lot of glare on that road.

"I don't think its anything to do with speeding, because people driving towards Farnworth have to slow down for the speed camera near the garage, but it is very busy with a bus stop also nearby."