POLICE are appealing for information after an 80-year-old cyclist was seriously injured on the Isle of Wight and airlifted to hospital.

The pensioner was cycling along Chale Street when he came off his bike yesterday (Saturday).

The Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance were called to the accident near Chale Green at 10.04am.

Police acted on a report of a possible collision involving a car and pedal bike, but stress it was not a hit and run incident.

The cyclist was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital's accident and emergency department. He is understood to be in a stable condition.

Appealing for witnesses to the accident, Sgt Catherine Edwards, said: “I am appealing for anyone who witnessed this incident to come forward and speak to us.

“I would also like to thank local residents for their patience while we carried out our inquiries at the scene, as the road was closed for several hours."

If you do have any information that could assist the investigation, call 101, quoting the crime number 44210303540.