A WOMAN cyclist has been taken to hospital by air ambulance this afternoon after a collision with a van.

The woman, said to be in her 70s, was struck as she cycled with her family on the Carclew Road near Mylor Bridge this afternoon at around 5.30pm.

Police and ambulance attended the scene but because of her condition the air ambulance was called. The air ambulance landed in a field near a crossroads and the woman was treated by the crew before being taken to hospital.

Eye witnesses report the lady was struck by a builder's van as she cycled past the junction which goes down to the A39 at the Norway Inn.

A friend of the driver said the driver didn't see her because of the sunshine and the dappled light from the trees.

The accident caused long tailbacks all the way to the Norway Inn as police sealed off the roads with drivers unable to turn around. The road is still currently closed

The builder's were said to have been working on a property down Broad's Lane.

It is not known what her condition is.

Devon and Cornwall Police have been contacted.

Traffic site Inrix reports: "Carclew Road both ways partially blocked, slow traffic due to accident, a cyclist and a van involved near Perranarworthal."