AN enraged driver threw a teenager into a hedge three times after he tried to warn him of cyclists approaching while acting as a marshal during a bike race.

Liam Preece, 15, of Worth Crescent, Stourport, was left bruised and shaken up following the incident which happened on the Astley to Stouport Road near the Holt Heath turn off at about noon on Sunday.

Liam, who attends Stourport High School, held out a flag to warn a motorist that a group of 60 cyclists taking part in the Jean Baker Memorial Road Race would shortly be arriving from around a bend.

But according to Paul Prince, treasurer for Wyre Forest Cycling Club which was staging the 52-mile race, the man drove into the flag and then slammed on his brakes, skewing his car across the road.

"He got out of his car, picked up Liam and threw him into the hedge three times. He was unhurt but was shook up. We've had a few cases where drivers have got impatient but nothing this serious."

Mr Prince added the incident was witnessed by several people who took the man's registration number and details of the assault had been passed on to the police.

Liam's father, Stephen, who was also acting as a marshal nearby, said his son had bruised his back in the incident but was otherwise unhurt.

He said Liam had held out the flag when the driver of the Ford Galaxy approached and the man stopped.

"He started shouting and waving his arms around and then drove forward into the flag. He then accused Liam of hitting his car with the flag.

"I saw him throwing him into the hedge. I headed towards him but then the rest of the cyclists started coming through.

"He wouldn't have got out of his car if it had been me.

"Although Liam is tall, he's quite skinny and the bloke thought he was an easy target. My opinion of him isn't printable."

Liam added: "He nearly took my arm off."

A spokeswoman for West Mercia Police said officers were investigating the incident and appealed for anyone with any information to phone 01905 723888, quoting incident reference number C/585795.