POLICE investigations are continuing into a 'hit and run' accident which left a popular former pub landlady bleeding in the road with head and leg injuries.

Great grandmother Annabel Rushton, 65, of Gloucester Road, Chorley, was "stable" in hospital following the collision.

Mrs Rushton, who was landlady of The Plough, Pall Mall, Chorley for 12 years, was on her way to the pub where she now works one evening a week when she was hit by a car.

Police are describing the incident as a "failing to stop" road collision.

Her daughter Suzanne Smyth, 40, of Bannerman Terrace, said: "We are waiting for test results but scans have revealed no fractures. She is improving slowly. If anybody does know anything please contact police."

Alan Worthington, current landlord at The Plough, said: "They are taking rubber off her leg where the tyre hit her."

He added: "It was getting towards eight o'clock on Friday evening and Annabel had not arrived. I heard there had been an accident and thought perhaps she had witnessed it, never thinking she was the victim."

His wife Adrienne, who has visited Mrs Rushton, said: "She cannot clearly remember what happened and is confused."

Mrs Rushton, whose husband Frank died in 1997, was crossing Gloucester Road near to her home at 7pm last Friday (February 15).

Witnesses saw a grey or silver saloon car collide with her while she was lay on the road.

The car drove off leaving Mrs Rushton with a serious cut to her head and leg injuries.

Police are now appealing for witnesses who may have seen what happened.

Inspector Stuart Coates, Lancashire police force incident manager, said: "The concern at this stage was whether the vehicle seen to strike her caused the injuries in the first place. We do need witnesses to come forward who may have witnessed the initial striking of Mrs Rushton or if she had fallen in the road.

"A vehicle did strike her and a driver did fail to stop at the scene which is very serious indeed."

Any witnesses should contact PC Bob Beeston on 01257 269021.