A CWMCARN Paragon cyclist faces life-changing injuries after an incident on a club time trial.

Andy Haines collided with a vehicle at 7.30pm on Thursday, riding up a hill on the A467.

The 61-year-old, a Welsh champion who has previously competed in the World Mountain Bike Championships, was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport and treated for neck and back injuries and a punctured lung.

The cycling club said on Twitter said: “Andy had an op to drain his lungs and has showed signs of improvement. He remains in intensive care but is upbeat. His neck and back have been stabilised.”

Gwent Police said: "At approximately 7.30pm on Thursday, July 19, 2018, we were called to reports of a cyclist colliding with a vehicle at the entrance of Cwmcarn Forest Drive, near Cwmcarn.

"Officers attended the scene and found that a male cyclist had collided with an unattended parked white Transit van on the A467.

"He suffered serious injuries and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Gwent Hospital, where his condition was later described as stable."

Cwmcarn Paragon said hundreds of messages flooded in.