A WOMAN knocked down by a hit-and-run driver and left for dead outside her front door is challenging the driver to hand himself in to police.

Nikki Ward, aged 35, had returned home from watching Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday with her husband Robert.

She had gone across the road to a fish and chip shop but, as she returned to her house, a silver Vauxhall Astra ploughed into her on Tonge Moor Road, Tonge Moor.

She was just inches away from the pavement and was flung 10 feet into the air.

Mrs Ward's husband, who saw the accident, dashed to her aid and stayed by her side until paramedics arrived to take her to the Royal Bolton Hospital.

It is the second hit and run accident in the town in just a week. Detectives are still hunting the driver of a car who killed 44-year-old mum-of-two Laura Entwistle near her home on Wigan Road, Deane on January 21.

Police arrested four men last week in connection with the accident but they were all released on bail until March pending further inquiries.

Mrs Ward suffered a broken collar bone, severe grazing, bruising to her face and other minor injuries.

Mr Ward said: "I saw the car come flying up the road and I thought 'that's going to hit her'. I thought she'd been killed."

"I just ran across the road and stroked her face while we waited for the ambulance. I'm still in shock now. I can't sleep. The feelings you have when you see something like that are just indescribable."

Mrs Ward was kept in hospital overnight, but was allowed home on Sunday.

Mrs Ward, a bank worker, said: "I just can't understand how he could drive off like that and leave me for dead.

"I don't know hows he sleeps at night. I know how lucky I am because I could've been killed, but I'm in a lot of pain and might even need surgery to correct my broken collar bone.

"If he has any conscience at all he should hand himself in. I can't do anything for myself now, my husband has to help me dress and shower. I've been told my collar bone will take at least six weeks to heal."

Witnesses say the driver stopped at short distance away from the scene, but then sped towards Harwood.

Police believe there were two or three white men in the car at the time of the accident and they were aged between 18 and 25.

Anyone with information about the accident, or the people in the care at the time, can contact police on 0161 856 7201.