PAPERBOY Jeffrey Watkin was left lying in the middle of the road in agony after he was the victim of a hit and run driver.

Jeffrey's mother Patricia is appalled no-one stopped to help the 13-year-old, who sat crying with pain after dragging himself to the side of the road before collapsing.

The incident happened at about 8am on Thursday November 2 in Cepen Park North, Chippenham, when a speeding car pulled into Stainers Way without indicating and smashed into the front wheel of Jeffrey's bicycle.

Jeffrey, who was just finishing his paper round, was knocked off the bike and left lying in the middle of the road.

"I flew backwards and as I landed my leg got stuck in the frame," he said.

"I was in so much pain I could hardly walk at all, but I managed to get to the side of the road."

The Malmesbury School pupil rang his mother from his mobile phone, but had to wait more than 15 minutes for her to drive back from work in Sutton Benger to pick him up.

Doctors at Chippenham Community Hospital suspected he had suffered a hairline fracture to his leg.

Following a second opinion from a specialist at Bath's Royal United Hospital, it was discovered he had bruising to his muscles and tendons but no broken bones.

"I was annoyed nobody stopped to help me because I was there for quite a while," he said.

Ms Watkin, 32, of Wessex Road, said: "I can't believe anyone could do anything so irresposible. He was left lying in the road. To me its more than outrageous, it's downright irresponsible. He was sitting on the ground crying in agony, with his bike by his side, and people just drove past."

Jeffrey, a keen sports player who is now on crutches, is most concerned about missing out on playing with the school teams for the next few weeks.

He is waiting for an appointment with a physiotherapist and has been told to try and put pressure on the leg.

"I can just put a little bit of weight on my toes but it hurts a lot," he said. "I can only walk one step at a time and I have to keep using my crutches."

He is expected to be off schoool for at least a week.

The car is believed to be a red Vauxhall Nova, and the driver was in his late 20s with short, dark hair. Anyone with any information should contact Chippenham police on (01249) 654455.