A THREE-year-old boy has died after being hit by a car in Bolton.

The youngster was struck by a car in Ellesmere Road, Morris Green, at 5.15pm.

His injuries were so serious police that an air ambulance was deployed and he was taken to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital for treatment.

Doctors battled to save the boy, who sadly died shortly after arriving at the hospital.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that a child has died.

"We were called to reports of an road traffic collision at 5.25pm this evening.

"The driver stayed at the scene. No arrests have been made."

He added that almost the entire length of Ellesmere Road remained closed while officers carried out inquiries at the scene.

The driver has fully cooperated with police and is not under suspicion of wrongdoing, The Bolton News understands.

A cordon manned by police officers is in place though an early road closure, on part of Morris Green Lane near Ellesmere Road, was lifted at about 7.45pm.

Harper Green Cllr Sue Howarth paid tribute to the emergency services for responding to the incident quickly and efficiently.

She added that Morris Green is a tight-knit community and the child's death was likely to impact on many families.

Cllr Howarth added: "On behalf of all the councillors, I would like to pass on our sincere condolences to everyone involved.

"People in the community will be thinking about the loss of this child and his family.

"A tragedy like this affects the whole community. I'm sure people will want to pull together."

Tributes left to boy, 3, hit by car yards from relative's house

Morris Green resident Hanna Smith said on Facebook: "My eight-year-old son saw this and phoned 999. It is awful.

"I'm so proud of my son. He wouldn't have been the only one to call 999 but it was the first thing he thought of.

"I hope the driver is okay. They must be really shook up."

A resident of Ellesmere Road, who asked not to be named, said: "I heard the helicopter and looked out of my window.

"I knew that something serious must have happened and then I saw the paramedics."

Sergeant Mark Thomas of GMP’s Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: “This is a tragic turn of events that has resulted in a young boy losing his life.

"Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.

“I’m urging anyone who may have witnessed the incident to contact us as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information about the collision should contact the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 0161 856 4741 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.