AN 80-year-old woman suffered serious leg injuries after being hit by a van which failed to stop .

The incident happened in Market Street, Little Lever, shortly after 1.30pm yesterday.

The area was full of shoppers and school pupils at the time.

The woman from Little Lever, was taken to hospital with serious leg injuries and later had surgery.

Staff from the nearby Costa Brava hair salon heard the collision.

Stylist Susie Holland said: "We heard a loud bang and I rushed out of the shop.

"She was lying in the middle of the road.

"Her left leg was seriously injured.

"I held her hand and tried to comfort her until the ambulance arrived."

The scene was taped off as police launched an inquiry. The injured woman is believed to live nearby.

The landlord of the nearby The Horse Shoe pub got into his car, a Renault Scenic, and chased the Skoda van believed to have been involved in the collision, before losing sight of it.

Little Lever and Darcy Lever Councillor Sean Hornby said the incident may have been captured on CCTV as cameras were installed at a pelican crossing near to the site of the accident three weeks ago.

Anyone with information should contact the area one road policing unit on 0161 856 7201.