OFFICERS have issued an appeal to anyone withholding information about a serious hit-and-run accident.

More than a week after 11-year-old Katie Scales was knocked down in Blossom Street, York, police are still searching for the driver of a black Fiat Punto.

Countywide action has been taken to trace the owner of the vehicle that left the Haxby-youngster suffering from sever facial injuries.

North Yorkshire Police suspect someone is withholding the identity of the person who drove through a red light moments before Katie was hit.

Traffic Constable Richard Gatecliffe said: "The driver of the car knows about the accident, but my feeling is that there must be at least one other person who knows who is responsible or, at the very least, has strong suspicions.

"Families and friends do try to keep such secrets out of a misplaced loyalty, but all they are doing is making it worse for the person they are shielding. The longer it drags on, the worse it makes the driver look.

"If someone is covering up for the driver, I am asking them to do that person a big favour and call the police now."

Anyone with information about the incident should call the traffic police on (01904) 631321.