A TOP fell runner who suffered a fractured spine when she was hit by a car is recovering well and sitting up in her hospital bed.

International runner Lindsey Brindle has told family and friends she is now hoping to get back to full fitness.

The 36-year-old was hit by a Volkswagen Fox in Chorley New Road, near to Bolton Golf Club, at 8am on Wednesday morning, April 27.

She has spent the last week in Royal Bolton Hospital, where it was discovered she had fractured her lower spine, but was hoping to return home this week to continue her recovery.

The mum-of-two tweeted a picture from her bedside after she was fitted with a back brace, along with the caption "Back brace on so no stopping me now!"

Mrs Brindle, who lives in Horwich with husband Tom and daughters Gracie, aged 11, and five-year-old Chloe, is now determined to get back to top form as quickly as she can.

Speaking to The Post from her hospital bed, she said: "I'm hoping to be able to go home on Thursday. How long I need the back brace for will depend on how fast I can recover, but they have estimated about 12 weeks.

"Then there will be a lot of rehab after that so that I can get back to full fitness. The physios are very aware of the fitness level I want to get back to, so there will be plans in place for that.

"It has been a difficult week, but I want to thank everyone for all of the 'get well soon' messages I have had. Looking back at all the messages of support is truly overwhelming."

She also praised her sister, Tracey Upshall, for her support, saying that she "has been amazing, not left my side, and made it all the more bearable for me."

Mrs Brindle was on her way to work and was completing her final training run ahead of the Three Peaks Challenge in Yorkshire when the accident occurred.

She added: "The crash wasn't the driver's fault at all, and I'm sure it has been very traumatic for her as well. Nobody is to blame, it was a freak accident.

"I was running to work and it happened as I stepped out into the road. By the time I realised there was a car coming at me, it was too late.

"The sun was very low that morning, so that might have been one reason why we didn't see each other, but the driver wasn't speeding or anything like that."

The Horwich RMI Harriers runner won her first international call-up last year when she helped Team GB to victory in the Staffeta 3 Rifugi Mountain Race in Italy.

In 2014, she was named the UK’s Queen of the Mountains, after accumulating the best times for running up Ben Nevis, Snowden and Scafell pike.

She had also won the Rivington Pike Fell Race at the start of last month.

Her sister, Tracey Upshall, said last week that Mrs Brindle was "devastated", but the family were grateful that she was still alive.