TWO men arrested on suspicion of attempted murder following a hit and run crash have been released on bail.

A 24-year-old man from Poole and a 34-year-old man from Bournemouth were detained after a man suffered serious head injuries when he was mown down on Bournemouth's Townsend estate on Sunday afternoon.

They were questioned by detectives but have now been released on police bail, pending further inquiries, until early December.

Emergency services were called to Tyrrell Gardens at 3.45pm where they found a 20-year-old Bournemouth man with a serious head injury.

A short time later, officers were called to reports of a vehicle fire in Howard Road in Bournemouth. A green Daewoo, believed to have been involved in the earlier incident, was destroyed in the fire.

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment. His condition is described as stable and not life-threatening.

It was initially feared the man’s injuries could be life-changing or life-threatening.

Tyrrell Gardens and Howard Road were closed for several hours while police carried out their investigations.

Detective Inspector Joan Carmichael, of Bournemouth CID, said: "I am appealing to anyone who witnessed either incident in Tyrrell Gardens and Howard Road to please call me urgently.

"I am particularly keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the manner of driving of the Daewoo before and after the incident. All calls will be treated in the strictest of confidence."

Anyone with information should call Dorset Police on 101, quoting incident number 22:254, or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.