A DRIVER who knocked down an 11-year-old boy left the youngster dazed and concussed in a nearby street after promising the child's friends he was taking him to hospital.

Martin Thompson, who suffered a fractured skull, cuts and bruises, was found staggering in the street by neighbours, who rushed him to hospital.

His mother, Linda, told yesterday of her disgust and anger at the motorist who jeopardised her son's life.

Martin had run into the road near his home to fetch a ball when he was struck by a white four-door saloon, on Sunday evening.

Mrs Thompson, 38, of Northbourne Street, Elswick, Newcastle, spent an anxious 20 minutes searching for him before being told he had been found by neighbours.

She said: "I was really shaken up and very annoyed as well."

Martin was kept overnight at Newcastle General Hospital and is now recovering at home with his mother, 18-year-old brother Terry, and 16-year-old sister Carol.

Northumbria Police are trying to trace the driver of the car, possibly a Hyundai Accent, registration M683 RVN, which had a male passenger.

A police spokeswoman said: "The driver stopped the car, picked up the injured boy, and put him on the back seat of the car.

"He told young friends of the injured boy that he would take him to hospital, but in fact he dropped the boy off a short time later and left him to make his own way home.

"It is very fortunate that he managed to find his own way home and get help."