AN ACCIDENT involving a white van and a pedestrian has closed a major Brighton thoroughfare.

A white Fiat van hit a pedestrian at 7.32am.

A 42-year-old man was taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital with head and chest injuries for further treatment.

The A23 Ditchling Road in Brighton outside the Gun and Pedal tattoo shop is closed southbound following the crash.

There is heavy traffic in the area due to accident and motorists are being diverted.

Sussex Police are in the early stages of investigating the incident and five police cars were parked at the scene.

A man at the scene claimed to work with the driver of the Fiat and said he was an elderly man.

A passer-by named Anna Blackwood, 51, from Brighton, said: "I just got there after the crash and saw a few police cars rushing to the scene to help.

"I could see the van with a smashed windscreen and a large group of police officers so it looked quite serious from where I was stood watching.

"I hope no one is seriously hurt."