A MUM-OF-TWO who had just picked up her daughter from nursery school suffered a broken spine in a hit-and-run incident.

Police believe Janet Mee, 49, was struck by a wing mirror or the outside panel of the car, shattering a bone in her back.

She has been left paralysed from the waist down, her partner said.

The incident happened in Laithe Street, Burnley, just moments after she had collected her three-year-old daughter Anneliese from Healey Wood Nursery, in Healey Wood Road.

She was putting her children into her Volkswagen Sharan when she was struck by the vehicle, described as champagne coloured, similar to a Jaguar, at around 4pm last Thursday.

It is thought the driver was an elderly man with grey hair.

The car had travelled along Springhill Street before the incident and then turned right towards Berry Street.

Ms Mee, who is studying at college to be a furniture restorer, underwent surgery and is being treated at Royal Preston Hospital.

Her partner Iain Clark said doctors did not know how long it would take for her to regain mobility.

He said: "Janet has had a chunk of her spine broken away.

“She’s currently paralysed below the waist and she only started to move her arms on Monday. It’s heartbreaking.

“The doctors are hopeful she will regain some mobility but how well she will be able to walk we don’t know.

Mr Clark, 34, who lives with Janet, Anneliese and their five-year-old son Daniel on Palatine Square, Burnley, said the days since the accident have been 'a living hell'.

He said: "I’ve had to hand in my notice as a Hackney Carriage driver in Burnley as I will have to look after Janet. We don’t know when she’ll be allowed home but it’s not likely to be until the New Year.

"I’m up six, seven or eight times a night because the children are having night terrors.

“Anneliese is just three and she witnessed this terrible thing happening to her mum.

“I’m at a loss about Christmas. I just can’t think about it. It can’t be any kind of special day for our children without their mummy.

“The person driving the car should come forward. I believe he knows what he did, he needs to speak to the police urgently.”

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

PC Michael Raw, from Pennine road policing unit, said: “It is thought the lady was hit by the wing mirror or outside panel of the car, which did not stop at the scene.

“I would appeal directly to the driver of the car to come forward.

“If you recognise the description of the car and you were in the Laithe Street area at around 4pm last Thursday and you think this may have been you, please contact us.”

Yesterday children at Healey Wood Nursery made ‘Get Well Soon’ cards for Ms Mee.