A six-year-old boy suffered serious head injuries when he and his sister were struck by a 4x4 car in New Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

The boy and his eight-year-old sister were crossing the road at Marine Promenade in the direction of the shops from Fort Perch Rock when the accident occured at 2pm.

The 65-year-old driver of the silver BMW X-Trail 4X4 involved stopped at the scene and has been helping officers with enquiries. A routine breath test was carried out and the result was negative.

Both children were treated at scene by paramedics before being taken by ambulance under police escort to Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

The boy has a serious head injury and a serious fracture to his leg and is described as critical at this time.

His sister has a fracture to her left leg and her condition is described as serious but not life-threatening.

Their mother, who was with them at the time of the incident, is with them at hospital.

Part of Marine Promenade was closed off to allow investigation work and traffic officers are appealing for motorists and pedestrians who were in the area to contact them if they witnessed what happened.

Call the police investigation team on 0151 777 5444 or leave information anonymously with Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.