A man has been left in hospital with serious injuries after he was hit by a car.

The incident took place on the A688 between the Thinford roundabout and Metal Bridge on Thursday (December 7) morning, shortly before 4.45am.

The man in his 40s, who was on foot, suffered serious leg injuries and was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough, where he remains.

The road was closed for several hours while collision investigators worked at the scene.

Officers investigating the collision are now appealing for witnesses, or anyone who may have seen the man walking in the area before the crash occurred.

Durham Constabulary said: “Police are appealing for witnesses following a collision between a car and a pedestrian.

“Officers are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen the pedestrian walking in the area before the collision took place.

“Anyone with any information or dash cam is asked to contact PC Steven Hawman, at Durham Constabulary, by emailing steven.hawman@durham.police.uk.”

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A spokesperson for the ambulance service added: “A NEAS spokesperson said: "We were called just after a 4.30 this morning to a road traffic incident on the A688 near Ferryhill.

"We dispatched a specialist paramedic, a clinical team leader and double crewed ambulance.

"One patient was transported to James Cook Hospital.”