A CYCLIST was left with a serious head injury after being hit by a suspected drug driver.

The man, in his 40s, was knocked off his bike in Love Lane, Rayleigh, at about 8.20pm on Monday, near the junction with Crown Hill.

Ambulance crews treated him at the scene before rushing him to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

A man was arrested on suspicion of careless driving, drug driving and possession of a class B drug.

Special Constable Rhys Jones, of Southend police, tweeted about the crash.

He said: “RTC over at Rayleigh tonight involving a cyclist. I arrested driver for drug driving and further seized cannabis. #SayNoToDrugDriving.”

He then posted a photo of a small bag of cannabis allegedly found in the car.

An ambulance service spokesman said: “We were called at 8.25pm to reports of an RTC involving a cyclist.

“We sent an ambulance and they were there for about 15 minutes.

“We treated a patient believed to be in 40s for a nasty head injury. He was treated at the scene and there was some pain relief and wound management.

“He was taken to Southend Hospital in a serious but stable condition.”