An 11-year-old Corsham boy is critically ill in hospital after being in collision with a van outside Sheldon School in Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham today.

The accident happened near the entrance to Hardenhuish and Sheldon School as the pupils left for home.

The youngster, who is not a pupil at Sheldon, was crossing the road at 3.44pm to meet two friends when he was hit by a yellow Volkswagon Caddy van.

The boy, who has serious head injuries was airlifted to the specialist head-injury unit at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol by Wiltshire Air Ambulance just before 4pm.

Hardenhuish Lane in Chippenham remained closed until 7pm.