A WORKMAN was left badly injured when a hit-and-run driver refused to follow a diversion and drove through roadworks.

The offence happened just before 9pm on Monday on Bond End outside Conyngham Hall, where the road is closed.

A green Isuzu Trooper or Crew Cab pickup, which had travelled from Knaresborough, hit an 18-year-old man from Crook in County Durham, who was working on the road.

Police say that the driver had earlier been allowed to drive through the roadworks as he said he was picking up a child from Conyngham Hall.

But a spokesman said: "When he tried to make the return trip, one of construction workers told him he couldn’t do this as the road was closed. The driver stated that he did not want to take the diversion route and set off, and then collided with the worker."

The injured man was taken to Harrogate District Hospital with a suspected broken leg. He has since been discharged.

Police say the driver is described as white and aged in his 60s. He was driving a dark green Isuzu with a hard top over the load bay and a registration plate possibly beginning YT52.

Traffic Constable Dave Lever, of North Yorkshire Police's roads policing group, said: “If you are the driver of the vehicle involved in this collision, it is possible that you are unaware that a collision occurred, and I urge you to come forward straight away so that I can take your statement.

“I also need to speak to anyone else who witnessed collision, and who has not yet contacted the police, to get in touch straight away.

“If you recognise the description of the vehicle involved or can assist this enquiry in any way, please come forward and contact the police.”

Anyone who can help is asked to phone TC Lever on 101 or email dave.lever@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk