A MAN is understood to be in a serious condition in hospital after falling from his bicycle in Horwich.

It is believed the cyclist "fell ill" while riding down Church Street. There were no other vehicles involved.

The man, thought to be in his 50s, was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital. Police have made contact with his family.

Emergency services were called to the incident in Church Street, at the junction with Wood Street, at 1.58pm.

Police shut off the road between Victoria Road and the Bank Top Brewery, with traffic being diverted for about two hours, causing long delays.

Sarah Georgeson, aged 30 of Ramsbottom Road, said: "I was told that a biker had come off his bike.

"He was cared for in the ambulance.

"A member of the ambulance team said he had come round a little bit.

"A motorcyclist stopped to be a witness.

"There was an ambulance, two paramedic vehicles and a blood bike on the scene. The fire brigade also attended."

There were two police cars and a police van on the scene, just outside Horwich Parish Church.

Tom Bleakley, a resident of Church Street, said: "We saw the flashing blue lights and then the emergency services descended on us.

"I saw a bike leant up against the church wall.

"Somebody was treated by paramedics.

"There were three ambulances and a blood bike here. A motorcyclist also stopped.

"They were here for about one hour.

"They shut the whole road. It is very unusual to close this stretch of road off."

The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) said that the man had been in a serious condition.

An NWAS spokeswoman said: "A man took ill while on his bike. He was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

"We sent two rapid response vehicles and an ambulance to the scene."

Church Street was reopened to traffic at about 4pm.