A schoolboy has been seriously injured in a hit-and-run, police have said. 

Police are investigating after the boy, aged 12, was knocked down as he crossed Chickerell Road on Tuesday. 

The driver failed to stop. 

Emergency services were called after it was reported the boy had been struck by a car at 2.45pm. 

Limited details are known about the car involved, the force said, but it is described as a dark coloured MPV or SUV type vehicle.

Police have been carrying out house-to-house and CCTV enquiries in a bid to identify the car involved, but, according to Dorset Police, this has so far proved unsuccessful. 

Police Constable Chris Brolan, of the traffic unit, said: “I am appealing to anyone who witnessed this incident or captured anything of relevance on home CCTV or dashcam to please get in contact with Dorset Police.

“I would also urge the driver involved to contact me so I can establish exactly what happened.”

Anyone with information can contact Dorset Police by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55230104042.

Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.