AN 11-year-old boy is in hospital with serious head injuries after being hit by a bus.

The youngster, from South Shields, was crossing Prince Edward Road in South Shields, when he was struck by the single-decker vehicle at 9.45pm last night.

He was initially taken to South Tyneside District Hospital, but was later transferred to Newcastle General.

The road was closed near to the Rose and Crown public house for an hour and a half while police investigated the circumstances.

Northumbria Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the collision to contact them on 03456-043043, quoting incident number 1375.