THE family of a 10-year-old boy were last night waiting for the phone call to say he had recovered consciousness after he was knocked off his bike.

John Ashmore, of Darlington, was in a serious condition in The James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, after the accident on Saturday.

The Harrowgate Hill Primary school pupil suffered a fractured skull in the accident, which happened at about 11am.

He was cycling in North Road, near Mayfair Road, when he was in a collision with a red Mitsubishi Colt.

He was initially taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, before being transferred to James Cook Hospital.

Last night, his mother, Sue Ashmore, said: "He might come round tonight. We are just waiting for the phone call."

She and her husband, John, have been at his bedside for much of the time since the accident.

Mrs Ashmore said: "You never think it is going to happen to you. It is very surreal. You go into automatic pilot and try to carry on."

They described their son as a typical boy, who loved football, his Playstation and playing with his friends.

She said: "He is a typical son. He has plenty of energy, he loves football and is a big Arsenal fan.

"He is a typical lad. He is not perfect - but who is? But he is a very loving child."

After the accident, Mr Ashmore was first to arrive at the hospital.

He said: "He was a whisker away from death, according to the consultants in Darlington."