A nine-year-old girl suffered serious leg injuries when she was struck by a double deck bus as she tried to cross a guided bus lane.

She was dragged about 15ft along the enclosed lane in Manchester Road, Bradford, at about 3.15pm yesterday.

Odsal firefighters used cutting equipment to free her right foot, which was trapped by one of the bus wheels.

She was treated at the scene by paramedics from the Yorkshire Air Ambulance helicopter, which landed on the Mayo Avenue roundabout, and was then taken to Bradford Royal Infirmary where her condition today was described as comfortable.

PC Trevor Bartle, of Bradford South police, said: "It appears that two girls tried to cross the lane and one was struck by the bus and went underneath it."

Police are investigating reports that the girl had jumped over a safety railing to cross the guided bus lane despite being close to a pedestrian crossing.

Station Officer John Blythe, of Odsal fire station, said: "The girl was very distressed but her mother was with her.

"Immediately after the accident her friend rang the girl's mum, who was close by, and she came to the scene."

Khadim Hussain, operations director for First in Bradford, which owns the bus, said: "It is too early to ascertain exactly what happened. The matter is under investigation."

The incident follows a similar accident in March when a woman had to be freed from underneath a double deck bus travelling on the guided bus lane. The woman suffered serious leg and face injuries.

Mr Hussain said: "It is unfortunate there have been accidents. If there is anything more we can do we will work with Bradford Council to try to put the problems right."