A WOMAN was airlifted to hospital after being run over by a van in Regent Street on Tuesday.

The incident, involving a reversing Transit van and the pedestrian at the top of Regent Street, opposite WHSmith, was reported to police shortly after 11am.

An air ambulance landed on The Heath around 20 minutes later, with a road ambulance and police officers also at the scene to close Regent Street at its junction with Princess Street.

The woman - who is in her 70s - was airlifted to Stoke's City General Hospital. Her injuries are described as 'serious'.

A Cheshire Police spokesman said: "At 11.03am officers were called to reports of a collision between a female pedestrian and a white Transit van outside WHSmith.

"Police and ambulance were in attendance, and air ambulance landed nearby.

"The pedestrian was conscious and breathing and the severity of her injuries is currently unknown."