A cyclist is highlighting the importance of wearing a helmet, after medics said hers prevented a serious head injury.

Kathryn Osborne, 35, survived with only mild concussion, bruising and a deep gash following the crash in Carlisle, but is aware it could have been far worse.

She has spoken out to encourage more people to wear bicycle helmets - and hopefully remind motorists to "think bicycle", and not just bike.

"I'd been out and was coming home from what was a 15-mile bike ride," the sports physiotherapist recalled. "I'd been around Carlisle, Kirkbride and Great Orton areas and was coming back into town along Orton Road.

"A car was travelling in the opposite direction up Orton Road and made a right turn in front of me. I had no time to stop and went straight into the side of it."

The driver was extremely apologetic, stopping to help offer first aid treatment.

Kathryn, who lives in the Orton Road area of the city, continued: "He admitted straight away that he didn't see me - he'd looked for a car, but not a bicycle.

"It was just a mistake and these things happen. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, but hopefully this will remind people to think bicycle."

She was taken to the accident and emergency department at Carlisle's Cumberland Infirmary for treatment.

"I had mild concussion, facial abrasions, a chipped tooth and soft tissue damage to my shoulder. I also had a deep laceration to my left index finger, where the bike and gear shifters went into it.

"I was wearing a helmet and the doctors in A&E said it probably saved me from a significant head injury," said Kathryn, who is secretary of Carlisle Tri Club.

"You see adults riding with children, where the children are wearing them but not the adults.

"There are lots of people who will go out on training rides wearing a helmet, but won't wear them going down the road. I was 500m from my house when it happened.

"I just want to remind people they can minimise serious injuries simply by wearing a helmet."