A driver failed to give any details after knocking a caretaker to the ground in his car.

Paul Blanche was crossing the road in Fairmeadow, Maidstone, when he was struck by a small grey car.

The 57-year-old school caretaker was put out of work over the holiday season, after suffering serious tissue and ligament damage in his right leg.

Despite initially stopping at the scene, the driver eventually left without providing any details.

Mr Blanche, a caretaker at Hunton Church of England Primary School and The Malling School, had been returning to his car in St Peters Wharf Retail Park after shopping in Maidstone town centre on December 10.

At around 5.30pm, he was struck by a car on the Chatham-bound side of Fairmeadow, and a passer-by, who Mr Blanche believes was a Sainsbury’s worker, phoned police.

Mr Blanche said: “I think it’s crucial we find anyone who passed by, including the man who phoned the police.

“An older man did came up to me, took my name and then left. I’m guessing that was the driver.

“It’s very frustrating, I’ve spoken to other people and they say it’s suspicious, maybe he was drunk, maybe he was speeding.”

"It's very frustrating, I've spoken to other people and they say it's suspicious, maybe he was drunk, maybe he was speeding" - Paul Blanche

A friend helped get Mr Blanche home, before he headed to Tunbridge Wells Hospital later that night.

The West Street, Hunton, resident added: “I can’t get about without a crutch or a zimmer frame, I’ve never had to use one before in my life.

“I was going to go into Hunton Primary to get some maintenance done over the holidays, now I can’t do that.

“I work part-time at two schools, so I don’t get salaried when I’m ill. Living on my own, it’s been very difficult so far, I can’t drive so it’s been very difficult getting shopping done and other things.”

Police confirmed they received a report of the incident the following day.

A spokesman said: “Enquiries are ongoing into the circumstances surrounding the collision."

Anyone with information is asked to call 01622 604100, quoting reference number 11-1169.