TWO young cyclists who were riding alongside an 11-year-old boy when he suffered serious injuries on the St Helens Linkway are being urged to come forward by police.

Ryan Atherton, from Sutton Manor, was cycling on the afternoon of Saturday, October 4 when he collided with a Ford Fiesta on the dual carriageway, near to Rainhill Stoops.

He suffered severe head injuries and was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital where he remains seriously ill.

Sergeant Jason Higham, from the Merseyside's Roads Policing unit, said: “We are appealing for anyone who saw the incident, and who hasn’t already spoken to police, to call officers now if they have any information.

"In particular we are appealing to two other boys who were cycling with the 11-year-old at the time of the incident.

“We are very keen to speak with them and are appealing to both of these boys to come forward to assist with our enquiries.”

Ryan’s family have described him as “a very popular boy who is keen on football and sports”.

They said: “He is a pupil at Sutton Academy where he started in September and was previously a pupil at Sutton Manor Primary School.

"He lives with his mother, father and two younger siblings, a three-year-old sister and one-year-old brother.”

The driver of the Fiesta stopped at the scene and the road was closed for several hours while an investigation took place.

Witnesses can contact Roads Policing Unit on 0151 777 5747 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.