POLICE say a pedestrian was lucky to escape serious injury after being thrown several feet into the air in a hit-andrun incident apparently involving a taxi.

The 21-year-old victim was crossing Northgate, in Darlington, at about 3.45am on Saturday when he was struck by a car.

He suffered a swollen ankle, a cut near his eye, a graze on his right cheek caused by hitting the road and a sore neck.

The car, which was red and appeared to bear the logo of a taxi company on its side, came from the roundabout near the Marks and Spencer store.

Police say the man was lucky not to have been more badly hurt, given how high he was thrown by the impact.

The man was treated at Darlington Memorial Hospital, before being released later that morning.

Officers are investigating and appealing for witnesses to come forward.

A spokesman for Darlington police said: “The driver of the vehicle actually pulled up and got out of his vehicle, but after seemingly noticing the victim lying on the ground he drove off into the town centre without leaving any details, either with the victim or a friend who was with him at the time.”

Anyone with information is asked to call PC Nicola Thorns, at Darlington police station, using the non-emergency number 101