A woman who fractured her skull and was only moments from death after falling from her bike has urged cyclists to wear helmets.

Jan Nicholls, of Albion Hill, Brighton, has spoken of her horror accident for the first time since it happened. The 45-year-old care worker had bought a new bike only two weeks before the accident on June 15 - the day 27,000 cyclists took part in the British Heart Foundation's London to Brighton bike ride.

She was riding between appointments at about 6.15pm when she had to swerve to avoid cyclists travelling at speeds of up to 40mph down a hill in Moulsecoomb.

Ms Nicholls said: "I had gone to work on the bus but because of the race and the traffic trouble it causes I went home to get my new bike.

"But the brakes failed and I don't remember much. I remember screaming and swerving to try to avoid them.

The next thing I knew was three days later when I woke up in hospital.

"I was knocked unconscious when I came off the bike and hit a wall and chain link fence.

"I landed on my back and must have hit my head because I've been left with this massive scar. Apparently I said I was OK at the time but I don't remember that at all."

Onlookers used clothing to stem the flow of blood from Ms Nicholls' head until paramedics arrived and took her to the Royal Sussex County Hospital, where she remained for eight days.

She said: "Apparently one of the paramedics told the police they didn't think I was going to make it because my injuries were so bad. The police officer said he could see my skull and nearly passed out.

"I had more than 100 stitches and also had an operation on my leg. I didn't realise I was so close to death until the police told me what the paramedics had said."

After her near-death experience Ms Nicholls has vowed to wear a helmet in future - should she ever get back on a bike.

She said: "I just want to warn people - this is what can happen to your face if you don't wear a helmet.

"People need to think before taking the risk that I did.

"If I'd been wearing a helmet I probably would have just damaged my leg. But as it is I broke my skull and am left with a big scar on my face.

"I just want to stop people having to go through what I have done."