A YORK pensioner was injured when a hit-and-run driver knocked him down outside a pub in the city.

Ambulance crews were called to the Brown Cow pub in Hope Street after 82-year-old Frank Pierotti was struck by a white Ford Sierra Sapphire in the road.

He was taken by ambulance to York Hospital for treatment.

Initial police reports said he had suffered cuts, bruises and a broken hip, which needed surgery, but an update described his injuries as "slight".

Police said the occupants of the car stopped and got out, but then left the scene when other people approached. It was not clear whether they left on foot or in the car. Police have the car's registration and know who the registered owner is.

Brown Cow manager Chris Myers said the injured Mr Pierotti was a regular at the pub. He said: "We are all obviously concerned about him, he's in his 80s and had just had a hip replacement.

"He used to pop in every day, sometimes not for a drink, just to chat about horse racing."

Updated: 15:08 Thursday, December 19, 2002