A FATHER whose daughter was left fighting for her life after being knocked down by a motorcyclist has spoken of his family's distress.

Aysha Rasool, three, remains under sedation in Pendlebury Children's Hospital's intensive care unit after suffering a broken skull and brain damage when she was in collision with the motorcycle in Midgley Street, Colne.

Her father, Asif Rasool, of Lune Street, said that doctor were waiting for the swelling in her brain to go down and the next 48 hours remain critical.

He said that Aysha and her sisters, Ayzah, six, and Zara, four, were making their way to the park from their house under the supervision from their 15-year-old cousin Idrees Ahmed, on Monday evening at 8.30pm.

Eyewitnesses said Aysha was thrown four metres down the road, landing near a telephone box after being hit by the motorcyclist who rode off after the accident.

Mr Rasool, who is a call centre manager, said: "She is still in a critical condition and the doctors said the next 48 hours are important to see of the swelling in her brain goes down.

"It's upsetting for us to see her lying there breathing through a ventilator and we are all praying for her to get through this.

"She is a such a bubbly child and we had just been shopping for a friends wedding this weekend.

"She had bought wedding clothes and was so excited about going to it."

Aysha's mother, Rubina, and Mr Rasool have been at her bedside since the accident while her sisters are being cared for by relatives.

Mr Rasool added: "My two daughters are traumatised because they were playing together.

"They won't talk about it and if I mention it they keep quiet.

"We need speed bumps in this area and now the council might do something about it because there is a school and a play area nearby so it makes sense."

Police said a 17-year-old had been arrested and released on police bail in connection with the accident.

Anyone with information should contact the police on 01282 4258001.