A POLICE community support officer has been taken to hospital after he was hit by a car while guarding the scene of a crash in Bromley Cross.

The driver of the Ford Fiesta has been arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving.

Several police cars and ambulances were seen speeding along Tonge Moor Road after the incident, which follows a major crash in Darwen Road.

It is understood the PCSO was directing traffic when he was hit by a passing car, a Ford Fiesta, at about 12.45pm.

He has been taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital with a suspected back injury.

It is thought he was wearing a cycling helmet at the time, which reduced the severity of his injuries.

A bystander at the scene, who asked not to be named, said: "Police said a man had been directing traffic and that a young male had accidentally knocked him over.

"They said he should be okay, but the driver was a bit shaken up.

"Police were doing a sterling job this morning and traffic was flowing freely, but now they've had to close a long section of the road and it's causing major issues."

Darwen Road is now closed between the junctions with Hospital Road and Arnold Road.

The crash happened after a stolen Mini smashed into a Parcel Force van and Ford Focus at about 9am today.