AN 11-year-old boy has been struck by lightning.

The incident happened at approximately 3pm in the car park next to Dorcan Academy.

The youngster, who has been named locally as Joe Compton and is believed to be a pupil in Year Seven, suffered serious electric shock and severe burns.

He lost consciousness at the scene but came too shortly before being taken to Great Western Hospital.

A spokesman for the Great Western Ambulance Service said that any incident such as this was life-threatening.