A pedestrian was seriously injured in an accident which brought traffic to a standstill in the centre of Brighton this morning.

Paramedics battled to save the woman's life as she lay in the street.

It is believed the number 49 service had been travelling in the bus lane at the bottom of North Road, heading towards Moulsecoomb, when the woman was struck.

An ambulance spokeswoman said: "We received a call to the Old Steine area at 9.46am.

"The patient was a female in her 30s, who had been in direct collision with a bus.

"She had serious head injuries and other injuries. She was treated by ambulance crews before being taken to Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

"She was in quite a serious condition and crews had to work hard to stabilise her."

Roger French, managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said: "The pedestrian was injured but the driver and other passengers on the bus were not hurt. We will co-operate fully with the police investigation."

Passengers and the driver were led off the bus while police examined the scene.

The bottom of North Road, at its junction with Gloucester Place, remained closed until early afternoon.