A YOUNG woman was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a hit and run in Pokesdown on Friday night.

Police and paramedics were called to Christchurch Road at around 10.30pm after the pedestrian, 20, was involved in a collision with a red Nissan X-Trail close to the Coffee and Dice board game cafe.

It is believed that the driver may have left the county following the collision.

PC Tim Gooding of the traffic unit said: “A number of enquiries have been carried out so far to try and locate the driver of the Nissan. 

“It is believed that following the collision the vehicle has travelled through East Hampshire to the Worthing area of Sussex."

He called for anyone who knows the current location of the vehicle, or those who have seen it travelling out of the county, to contact police.

“I would also like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision, or saw the manner of driving of the Nissan immediately before or after the incident," he said.

“If you have any have information about the identity of the driver please get in touch.”

Anyone with information should contact the force via dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting 7:568.

On Saturday afternoon, a spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "Officers were called to reports of an injury road traffic collision at 10.29pm.

"A member of the public called us.

"Ambulance crews were already at the scene.

"It is believed that a female was struck by a vehicle. Enquires are ongoing to identify the user of that vehicle.

"The casualty was taken to Poole Hospital.

"She is not believed to have sustained life-threatening injuries."

Officers are searching through CCTV footage from cameras in the area to track down the motorist.