A WOMAN was rushed to hospital in the early hours following a hit and run in St Leonards.

The injured woman, aged in her 30s from Ringwood, sustained serious but not-life threatening injuries.

Dorset Police were called, just before 1.10am on Sunday, to reports the woman had been hit by a car as she crossed Ringwood Road.

The car reported to have been involved in the collision, described as a dark-coloured Volkswagen Golf, failed to stop at the scene.

However, a VW Golf was discovered a short distance from where the collision took place and has been seized by police.

A 23-year-old man from Blandford, arrested in Hampshire on suspicion of assisting an offender, is helping police with their enquiries.

Police Sergeant Mark Scammell, of the traffic unit, said: "I am appealing to anyone who was in the Ringwood Road area at the time of the collision and either witnessed the incident or saw a VW Golf immediately prior or after the collision to please contact Dorset Police.

"I am also keen to hear from any motorists who were travelling in the area at the time and may have relevant dashcam footage."

Contact Dorset Police at dorset.police.uk, via email 101@dorset.pnn.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting incident number 19:35.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via www.crimestoppers-uk.org.