A DRIVER has been arrested after a cyclist suffered serious head injuries in a car accident near the Macron Stadium.

The accident happened in De Havilland Way, between the Parklands roundabout and Mansell Way, at about 6am this morning.

The male cyclist has been taken to Salford Royal Hospital with serious head injuries and a suspected fractured skull, according to a police spokesman.

He is said to be in a "very serious" condition, with a bleed to the brain, and is now undergoing emergency surgery.

The man driving the car involved, a Peugeot 208, has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and is being questioned in custody.

The road was shut eastbound between 6am and 7.30am, but one lane has now reopened.

Several police vehicles remain in the right hand lane of the road as officers continue their investigations at the scene.

The crumpled bike has been removed and placed on the grass verge at the side of the road.  

Commuters in the area experienced delays earlier this morning, with the closure causing tailbacks onto the M61 at junction 6, but traffic problems have now eased.

A police spokesman said: "We were called out at about six o'clock this morning to De Havilland Way to a road traffic collision involving a Peugeot 208 and a cyclist.

"The cyclist suffered serious head injuries and potentially a fractured skull and was taken to Salford Royal for treatment.

"The driver was arrested for dangerous driving."

A North West Ambulance Service spokesman confirmed that a man had been taken to Salford Royal by land ambulance.

The incident took place as firefighters were starting their latest period of strike action, which ran from 6am to 8am.

But a spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said they were not required to attend.