A MAN suffered serious injuries after he was hit by a police car responding to an emergency.

The pedestrian was injured as the liveried patrol car travelled along Fairfield Street in Manchester in the early hours of Tuesday.

The car, whose siren and lights were activated, had been driven by an officer responding to reports of a break-in at a city centre premises.

The 37-year-old man suffered a suspected broken arm and leg but his injuries were not life threatening.

An internal investigation into the circumstances surrounding this incident has been launched.

The officer driving the car has been suspended from driving duties pending the investigation, although the force said this was routine practice.

The crash has also been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.