A teenager is in a serious condition after being hit by a van while crossing a road in Newton Aycliffe.

Police accident investigators are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at Central Avenue on Tuesday afternoon.

The 14-year-old boy was walking home from school when he crossed the road between the junctions of Defoe Crescent and Feltham Close at about 3.40pm.

A van, travelling east along Central Avenue, collided with him. The victim suffered head and internal injuries and was taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, where his condition was last night described as serious.

The driver of the van, a 30-year-old man, was uninjured in the incident.

Anyone with any information should ring 0191-386 4929 and ask to speak to the accident unit.