A YOUNG man is today critically ill in hospital after being struck by a car in a hit-and-run incident in a town centre.

The victim, aged 21 and from Dartford, was run over as he walked home after a night out with a friend.

A silver-coloured car struck the victim close to East Hill’s junction with Home Gardens in Dartford at 1.40am on Sunday.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene and the victim was taken to Darent Valley Hospital at Dartford where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

A spokesman for North Kent Police said: “We are in the process of speaking to some witnesses but would like to hear from anyone else who saw what happened to help us try and trace the driver of the car involved in this incident.”

PC Andy Tateson said the driver "wouldn't have been in any doubt" he had struck someone". The windscreen of the car was badly damaged.

The silver car was seen to drive off in the direction of Westgate Road. If you can help, call North Kent Police on 01474 565167.