A TODDLER was taken to hospital this afternoon after being knocked down by a car outside Redcar Race course.

The two-and-a-half year old sustained a fractured leg.

The little boy was struck by a Citroen AX outside the main entrance to the course, after apparently running out into the path of the car on Redcar's West Dyke Road.

He was taken by ambulance to Middlesbrough's James Cook Hospital, accompanied by his mother.

The infant is expected to spend the night in hospital.

Cleveland Police say it was a serious incident and they are investigating.