A MUM has said her son was lucky to avoid serious injuries after he was the victim of a hit-and-run.

Lesley-Ann Gregory has been left upset and angry after her five-year-old son Matthew was struck by a 4x4 when he was crossing the road near his home in Moat Way, Malvern.

The youngster was outside with other friends and family members when he was injured in the collision.

Matthew, who attends The Grove Primary School, sustained injuries to his foot and arms, but was just inches from being hit full on by the vehicle.

Mrs Gregory, aged 28, said: "Matthew was just stepping out into the road when this car came bombing down.

"He didn't see it and the car hit him on his foot and arms and there was a bang.

"Matthew fell backwards but he was lucky that he didn't go underneath the car or over the top of it.

"Afterwards he was saying that his foot was hurting and he's got a few cuts and bruises down his arm.

"He's very lucky – if he had only stepped out another yard he would've gone underneath.

"By the time we looked down the road the car was already going around the corner.

"[The driver] must have heard the bang and he should have stopped to check that my child was all right."

Mrs Gregory's sister-in-law Nikita Jackson, aged 24, said she was disgusted that the driver had not stopped to check on Matthew.

She described the incident passing by in a blur and said everyone was grateful Matthew did not sustain worse injuries.

"I turned around and saw him go to cross and all I can remember is the car came flying past and I screamed 'Matthew' and he bounced off the car," she said.

"Then the car just drove off.

"We were all in a state of shock.

"I just hope [the driver] understands the state of worry that we suffered.

"He should've stopped – if not for himself then for that little child."

Ged Warwick-Browne, a neighbour and friend of Mrs Gregory, was outside when the incident occurred.

She said: "I turned around and saw Niki and she was screaming 'Matthew's just been hit by that car'.

"The next thing I saw was the car driving off really fast.

"I looked over and by that point it was going around the corner."

Residents are now planning to launch a petition calling for safety measures to be brought in on Moat Way to slow traffic.

Mrs Warwick-Browne, aged 47, said: "We've got to get on and do something now and we're going to get a petition going.

"Matthew is one lucky boy.

"I think another half a second and he would've gone underneath."

West Mercia Police have released an appeal for witnesses after the incident, which happened on Thursday at around 6.15pm.

They said the vehicle involved is believed to be a 4x4 and it was seen driving towards the shops on Moat Way.

Anyone with details should call police on 101, quoting incident 592S of Thursday, June 18.