A CYCLIST was airlifted to hospital following a serious collision in Smallfield on Saturday.

The collision between the bicycle and a grey Volvo estate, which were travelling in opposite directions, occurred near the Gunyah Stud Farm in Redehall Road at around 11.15am.

It is thought the cyclist attempted to go over a deteriorating speed bump and lost his balance and collided with the windscreen of the oncoming car.

The cyclist, a man in his 30s from south London, was airlifted to Kings College Hospital in London with serious head injuries.

The driver of the Volvo, a local man in his 40s, was uninjured.

"The cyclist was conscious after the incident, but it was quite a nasty injury," said Lingfield's village PC Barry Reece.

The road was closed in both directions between Cross Lane and Plough Road while emergency services dealt with the incident.