Teenager Ian Martin is fighting for his life as his girlfriend of two years Rachel Birrell recovers from surgery following a crash on the seafront.

Ian and Rachel, both 16, were injured in a collision with a Renault 5 as they were using a pelican crossing in Kingsway, Hove, on Sunday night.

The couple had just finished GCSE exams at Hove Park School and were enjoying an evening stroll when they were hit.

Rachel was thrown 12 metres and suffered a severe ankle injury.

Ian, son of former Hove mayor Peter Martin and former mayoress Jacqui, was dragged under the car.

Ian's older brother Neil said Rachel and Ian had been together two years and were close.

Last night Ian was fighting for his life. His parents waited by his bedside.

Mr Martin, speaking from the hospital, said: "Ian is extremely poorly and we are praying for him.

"There is a big dent in his head caused by swelling at the back. Machines are doing all the work for him.

"We are not sure if there is brain damage and we are waiting to see what the neuro consultant says. Doctors may take him off medication and machines tomorrow.

"It was such a shock. One minute you are talking to your son and 45 minutes later police are calling to say he has been involved in a road accident.

"He had just popped down to Hove Lagoon with his girlfriend and he was going to look at cars at Caffyns - he's getting to that age where he'll be driving soon."

Ian had to be transported an extra 50 miles after being turned away from the nearest specialist head injury hospital.

He ended up in north London at the Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead.

Doctors planned to send him to Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre in Haywards Heath, only to be told there was no bed available.

Richard Penney, a spokesman for Mid Sussex NHS Trust which runs Hurstwood Park, said there were occasions when patients would have to travel further afield for treatment.

He said: "There are only a small number of specialist units like ours in this area and occasionally demand can be high for places and spaces are limited.

"This means patients sometimes will not necessarily get into the closest unit but the treatment they get will still be the same."

Rachel, who lives with her parents Colin and Alison in Elm Drive, Hove, underwent surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton.

Her father Mr Birrell, fighting back tears, said: "Rachel is a lovely girl and hard working."

Ian's father, a 50-year-old former Hove Tory councillor and the mayor in 1993-94, said his son loves playing rugby and is a talented wood craftsman.

Ian has ambitions to run his own furniture-making business: "He has made lots of things for different people and he has taken over our garage to work."

Mr Martin, of New Church Road, Hove, and Mr Birrell thanked members of the public and emergency services who came to the couple's aid.

Ian ended up under the Renault and customers at the nearby Kingsway pub lifted the vehicle off.

There had been four people in the car. The driver, a 22-year-old man from London has been released on bail pending further inquiries.