A FAMILY says their prayers have been answered as their daughter continues to recover after a hit-and-run accident.

Angeline Malik, 12, was left fighting for her life after she was injured in the incident almost three weeks ago.

Doctors told the Hartlepool girl's parents, Rajab and Abida, to prepare themselves for the worst.

But after she was unconscious for the first six days, the youngster has slowly improved and could be home for Christmas.

Angeline's father said her recovery was a miracle, and thanked the people of Hartlepool for their thoughts and prayers.

He said: "She now knows how close she came. It is a miracle, and all the prayers worked. I have never been through anything like this, and I would hate any other parents to go through the same.

"I could not stop crying before, but after she woke up, we were crying with happiness.

"She did not say anything, but I knew she recognised me as she was trying to squeeze my hand."

Angeline suffered swelling to the brain, a fractured chin and elbow after the accident.

She had been crossing Grange Road, Hartlepool, to see her new baby cousin when the incident took place.

An 18-year-old Hartlepool man has been arrested in connection with the incident and has been bailed pending inquiries.