POLICE have stepped up their hunt for a hit-and-run driver who left a young man for dead as he returned from a night out.

Dylan Smalley, 27, of Atlas Road, Darwen, was found lying in the road just yards from his home in the early hours.

Officers, who initially believed he had been assaulted before the incident, are now confident he was deliberately mowed down by a dark coloured Vauxhall Nova.

And Dylan, who is being treated at Blackburn Infirmary for broken legs and pelvic injuries, today appealed for people to help police catch the driver responsible.

Inspector Stuart Coates, of Darwen Police, said: "Originally we thought Mr Smalley could have been assaulted prior to being knocked down. We are now confident his crush injuries are consistent with being struck by a car. "He was basically mowed down and left for dead in the road. We want to catch the person responsible for this heartless crime."

Mr Smalley, a leading hand at the Imperial Branch Decor Group, was walking home after a meal with friends in Darwen before he was knocked down last Saturday.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Mr Smalley, who has a five inch long scar running from his shoulder and under his arm, said: "I really hope the police can find whoever has done this, or they will turn themselves in.

"I am going to be in hospital for up to two months, and I don't know when I will be able to go back to work.

"I was only 100 yards from my house. I had been with some friends and we had been to the Catholic Club to play snooker earlier in the evening.

"Then we went to the Swaad Restaurant on Railway Road for a meal before walking home.

"All my friends had gone their separate ways by the time it happened. I just remember crossing over the road, and the next thing I knew I was waking up in hospital."

Police believe a dark coloured Vauxhall Nova hatchback, seen driving at high speed shortly after the incident, may have been involved and are anxious to trace the driver.

Anybody who can help should ring Darwen Police on 01254 701777 or CrimeStoppers, free and in confidence, on 0800 555111.

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