FRIENDS of a ten-year-old boy left seriously ill after being knocked down by a van are praying for his speedy recovery.

Schoolboy Andrew Parker remains stable in the paediatric intensive care unit of James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough after being struck by the van on Friday afternoon.

Staff at West View primary School in Hartlepool, where he attends, said they had been shocked to hear the news of the accident.

Headteacher Andy Brown said: "Everyone at the school is very saddened by the accident.

"Andrew is a very popular boy. He is a member of the school football team and talented at maths.

"His fellow pupils are currently making cards to send to him and our thoughts at this moment are with Andrew and his family."

Andrew was struck by a Mercedes van on the busy Easington Road in Hartlepool at about 3.20pm on Friday.

He was crossing the road near to the Saxon pub when the accident happened, leaving him with serious head and hip injuries.

He was at first taken to University Hospital of Hartlepool, but was later transferred by ambulance to Middlesbrough.

His parents have been too upset to talk about the accident.

One of the boy's neighbours, however, said: "We're all so worried about him. He's a lovely lad."

Anyone who saw the accident should call Cleveland Police on (01642) 301552.

Meanwhile, an eight-year-old boy remains poorly but stable in the same intensive care unit after being hit by a car on a cycle path near Newport Bridge in Middlesbrough on Tuesday of last week.

Three teenagers have been charged in connection with the accident.