A TEENAGE cyclist suffered serious injuries after being hit by a car.

The girl, believed to be 18, was apparently thrown from her bike by an uneven road surface in Southend Road, Rochford, near the Anne Boleyn pub, at about 1.20pm today.

The car behind was unable to avoid the teen as she fell in its path.

Traffic queued as police closed the road for almost an hour.

A police spokeswoman said: "A girl has fallen off her bike due to the uneven road surface. The car behind was unable to avoid her.

"She is described as having serious but not life-threatening injuries.

"A silver Renault Clio collided with her.

"The road reopened at about 2.15pm."