A cyclist was fighting for his life after colliding with a pedestrian as he rode down a steep hill.

He flew off his bike and suffered broken bones and serious head injuries.

The 35-year-old man underwent emergency surgery at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, Brighton, yesterday evening.

The collision happened just before 11am yesterday outside Coldean Infant School in Coldean Lane, Brighton.

The road was closed for three hours and traffic diverted.

Police and ambulance officers found the man, believed to be from Brighton, lying unconscious with blood pouring from his nose.

A Sussex Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "He lost a great deal of blood."

A Sussex Police spokeswoman said: "The cyclist suffered life-threatening injuries.

"His next-of-kin have been informed and were on their way to the hospital."

The pedestrian was treated by paramedics at the scene and later taken to hospital suffering shock and minor injuries.

The names of those involved have not been released by Sussex Police who operate data protection guidelines.