A CAR mounted the pavement and hit a man, dragging him along a wall by his leg, before driving off, in what was believed to be a targeted attack.

Police are appealing for information after the 29-year-old man was hit by the car as he was walking along Middlesbrough Road with a male friend, near the junction of Milbank Street, in Middlesbrough, on Wednesday at 11.10am.

The vehicle, believed to be a green Ford Focus, mounted the pavement and struck the victim in the leg, dragging him along the wall. Police said they believed it to be a targeted attack on the two males.

The victim managed to push his friend out of the way of vehicle before he was hit.

He suffered a large laceration to his back, and is undergoing treatment at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough.

A car similar to the one described was found abandoned in Ash Grove, South Bank, Middlesbrough, and two men were seen leaving the vehicle and making their way into the South Bank Estate.

Police said anyone who may have information about the vehicle, or anyone who witnessed the incident, was asked to contact DS Paul Husband on the non-emergency number 101, Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or www.crimestoppers-uk.org