A DRIVER was seriously injured after his car smashed into a shop and a lampost after being in collision with a bus.

Kevin Cole, aged 48, of Westby Grove, Tonge Moor, was today being treated in the Royal Bolton Hospital's high dependency unit after suffering chest injuries.

The collision with the 48-seater First Bus vehicle was at 5.45pm last night at the junction with Bow Street and Bridge Street.

Mr Cole's Peugeot 406 veered into pedestrian barriers, a shop and a lamppost, trapping him in the wreckage for 45 minutes.

Today he was said to be in a poorly but stable condition.

Witnesses can contact Bolton traffic unit on 0161 856 5972.