THE parents of a man struck down by a hit-and-run motorist have travelled to Swindon to be at their son's bedside.

Paul Boden was walking alone along Lady Lane, Blunsdon, in the early hours of Sunday when he was hit and dragged along a street by a car

The 25-year-old, who is believed to be from Longbridge, Preston, was rushed to Great Western Hospital with a suspected fractured skull and jawbone.

Yesterday he was described as being in a stable condition.

Waldo Pacheco, the manager of the Cold Harbour pub and Premier Lodge Hotel, Blunsdon, said that the 25-year-old, who was on his way back from a wedding reception when the accident happened, checked in on Saturday.

"He checked in with quite a few friends," he said. "There were about six or seven of them. They came in, got changed and went back out again.

"I think he was walking back by himself. The police came in on Sunday morning and went to speak to his friend."

Mr Pacheco said the man's parents, who are now staying at the same hotel, had spent most of Monday at their son's bedside and were very distressed.

"They booked in on Sunday," he said. "They are very upset.

"It must be horrible not knowing who did it."

The Blunsdon House Hotel said that Mr Boden had been a guest at a wedding on Saturday but would not make any further comment. Police say the driver of the car sped from the scene. The colour, make and model of the vehicle involved are unknown.

Residents living near the accident scene said they were shocked to see the body of a man lying in the road.

"I saw all the flashing lights and somebody in the road," said Thomas McEnroe, 64.

"He was picked up on a stretcher and put into an ambulance. It wasn't a nice thing to see."

Richard Piper, the manager of Vicarage Motor Company, opposite the accident scene, said that police had asked to view his CCTV tapes, but officers discovered cameras had not been pointing at the accident spot.

"Roads around here are really dangerous," said Mr Piper. "Every hour there is a screech of brakes at the traffic lights."

Anyone with information about the accident can phone PC David Williams at Westlea police station on 01793 528111.