A small cyclist who sped off after knocking down a Sunday School teacher is being sought by police.

The child, who wore a grey jersey and rode a dark-coloured bicycle, left Dorothy Holloway, 52, of Wenrisc Drive, Minster Lovell battered and furious.

She suffered a swollen and bruised right leg after being bowled over by the speeding cyclist, aged about eight.

Police said they would be making enquiries at St Kenelms School in nearby Wenrisc Drive. The children at the school may also be given a road safety talk following the incident. Pc Steve Patrick, dealing with the case, said: "This is an unfortunate accident. We will try and track the boy via the local school, but we can't prosecute an eight-year-old for cycling on the pavement. We can advise him on road safety, however."

Mrs Holloway, who suffers from back and hip problems, was on her way to a Sunday School meeting at the Methodist chapel, in Upper Crescent, when the incident happened on the corner of Charter Hill Close and Brize Norton Road at about 7.20pm last Thursday, May 4. She said: "He came speeding round the corner from Brize Norton Road and ploughed into me. It knocked me flat to the floor. The mud guard or the front wheel went right into my leg. But he just sped off and did not even stop to see if I was okay or apologise. If my friends had not been there, I would never have been able to get myself up.

"If children must ride on the pavement they should go slowly. It's a busy road. If it had been a disabled person or a very young child they would be in hospital."

Friends helped Mrs Holloway struggle to the meeting, but later she was taken to the Witney Minor Injuries Unit for treatment, and had to miss Sunday School because her leg was too sore.