Birthday teenager is seriously injured

A teenager was seriously injured after being knocked off her bike outside her Shropshire home - on her 17th birthday.

Ashley Evans was today in a critical condition in hospital following the collision on the A49 in Prees Green yesterday.

Her mountain bike was hit by a red Renault Clio shortly after 7pm.

Ashley, the eldest of four children and a pupil at The Thomas Adams School in Wem, was airlifted to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in Stoke-on-Trent with severe head and leg injuries.

A relative at the family's home, who asked not to be named, said today: "All we know is a car knocked her off her bike. It was right outside, but we don't know what happened.

"Her parents are there with her at the hospital. It's just a case of waiting and seeing how she is now.

"With head injuries you are just waiting. She is stable and she is comfortable."

Police have now appealed for witnesses. Richard Ewels, West Mercia Police spokesman, said the car driver was treated for shock.

He added: "We are appealing to anyone who saw the collision, or the circumstances leading up to it, to contact Whitchurch police station on 08457 444888."