A HIT-AND-RUN driver who crashed into a lamp post and hit a row of parked cars, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, is being hunted by police.

The motorist, who ran away following the collision, could have been injured, police believe.

And a family is counting the cost after two of their cars were written off in the incident, at 2.40am on Saturday in St Helens Road, Daubhill.

Urmash Fatania, aged 27, and his father, Gordhan Fatania, aged 57, were woken by a loud bang outside their home.

Mr Fatania said: "I looked outside and I could see that a car had hit a lamp post outside the house.

"It had spun round and smashed into my car, which had then hit my dad's, which had then gone into a neighbour's."

The driver smashed into three pillars and had ploughed into the family's Rover cars before hitting a neighbour's Ford Escort, ripping off the lights and bumper."

Mr Fatania, who runs an IT company, said: "Straight after the crash, my mum saw two people talking outside the car and another two people in the driver and passenger seats.

"I saw one bloke wandering around with his head bleeding. The police were called and two fire engines and an ambulance also turned up.

"Our cars were probably worth about £5,000 and the lamppost is going to need replacing so they've caused a lot of damage.

"Someone could have easily been killed because there's always people walking along the road or getting dropped off by taxis, even at that time of night."

A police spokesman said: "An egistered Ford Escort is believed to have collided with a number of parked cars.

"The driver of the vehicle then ran away from the scene.

"Inquiries into the incident are continuing."

Anyone with information should contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.