Former footballer Clarke Carlisle is fighting for his life in hospital after being hit by a lorry this morning.

The ex-Burnley, Leeds and QPR defender was airlifted to a hospital in Leeds with life threatening injuries.

The circumstance behind the incident, which took place at 7.30AM near the village of Bishopthorpe in North Yorkshire, remain unclear with police "pursuing all avenues".

Carlisle served as chairman of the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) and was billed as "Britain's Brainiest Footballer" in 2002 after an appearance on TV quiz show Countdown.

He has also worked as a pundit and co-commentator since retiring from the game in 2013.