A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs after a woman in her 80s was struck by a vehicle earlier today.

The Chronicle understands the van was reversing before it ploughed into the woman pedestrian and knocked her to the ground.

Police sealed off Basingstoke Road in Spencers Wood while paramedics rushed to the scene to treat the wounded pensioner.

However, it immediately became clear she had suffered serious injuries to her arm, hand and head and she was driven to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: "TVP was called shortly after 10.30am today to a report of a collision involving a pedestrian and a van in Basingstoke Road, Spencers Wood.

"A woman in her eighties was injured and taken to hospital with serious injuries.

"There are some road closures in place in the area but these are in the process of reopening.

"A man was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and is in police custody."

The shocking collision happened near to the One Stop post office in Basingstoke Road, which was recently targeted by ram-raiders.

The OAP's current condition is not yet known.

A spokesman for South Central Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 10.24 this morning with the caller reporting that a female had been in collision with a van outside the Post Office.

"We sent an ambulance to the scene and the crew reported that the patient had sustained a serious hand/arm injury as well as a head injury.

"After initial treatment at the scene she has been taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, for further treatment."

Eye-witnesses described their shock when they saw the OAP on the ground. Resident suggested the van was reversing when it collided with the woman.

One post on social media read: "Poor little old lady got knocked over by a reversing van.

"I've just emailed the council again.

"This road becomes more dangerous daily and yet they keep handing out more and more planning permissions for housing that only serve to increase the traffic on an already overloaded road."