The elderly driver stopped to help the 44-year-old man who collided with a blue Peugeot 206 on North Drive, in Thornton, as he was crossing the road near the junction with Cumberland Avenue.

He sustained serious head and leg injuries and is currently recovering in Blackpool Victoria Hospital. His injuries are not described as life threatening.

The incident happened around 6.20 am on Sunday. The pedestrian was thrown over the car and landed in the carriageway.

The driver of the Peugeot flagged down a passing motorist in a maroon Ford Mondeo. The elderly driver waited at the scene with the casualty but then left before speaking to police officers.

The 58-year-old driver of the Peugeot, from Cleveleys, was arrested on suspicion of dangerous driving and has been released on police bail pending further investigations.

Police would now like to speak to the Mondeo driver to try to get a clearer picture of what happened.

PC Jason Colclough, from the road policing unit, said: "We would like to trace the Mondeo driver, who stopped to help the injured man, so that we can see what he could add to our account of what happened. I would urge him to get in contact with us."

Anyone with information should contact PC Colclough, or the road policing unit, on (01253) 876611.