Police have now issued an appeal for witnesses after a schoolgirl was hit by a woman in a silver car on her way home from school.

A 12-year-old Blenheim High School student, from Stoneleigh, was hit by the car, believed to be a Jaguar, on Longmead Road, Epsom, last Monday, February 9, at 3.10pm, while crossing the road.

A police spokesman said officers have been told the woman driver stopped her car, after hitting the leg of the girl, to check her welfare and, after the girl told her she was okay, she drove away.

He explained that, contrary to popular belief, if a driver hits a pedestrian or car and stops to check they are ok or to give their details, there is no legal obligation on them to then report the incident to the police.

An eyewitness, who contacted the Epsom Guardian on Monday, said the woman was driving a silver Jaguar.

The girl needed surgery to insert metal pins into her ankle.

Her father, Dean White, 42, believes the driver should come forward and talk to the police, given the severity of his daughter’s injury.

PC Paul Knivett said: "We believe there must have been a number of witnesses to this incident as it was a busy time of day with students leaving the nearby school, and parents driving by picking their children up.

"If you saw anything that you think might relate to this, particularly to do with a silver car that we believe was involved, please get in touch as soon as possible."

Anyone with information should call the police on 101, or report it online at www.surrey.police.uk, quoting reference number P15036012.