THE father of York schoolgirl Katie Scales, who was knocked down in a hit-and-run incident, was today appealing for the driver to hand themselves in to police.

Jeff Scales was also set to tell a press conference at York police station how the shocking incident had affected him and his wife, Sarah.

Before the press conference, PC Richard Gatecliffe said: "Mr Scales is going to make a plea for the driver to do the decent thing by handing themselves in.

"What happened to Katie is every parent's worst nightmare."

When Katie was rushed to hospital her condition was so critical that her multiple fractures could not be operated on initially.

PC Gatecliffe said Mr Scales was not bitter and just wanted to help police find the driver.

Katie, from Haxby, an 11-year-old All Saints' School pupil, suffered multiple injuries when she was hit by a new model black Fiat Punto while crossing the road at a pelican crossing near the Odeon cinema, in Blossom Street, at about 4.20pm on Wednesday last week.

Police have said they believe someone is covering up for the driver.

Officers hunting the driver said any friend or family member keeping a secret out of misplaced loyalty should think again. "All they are doing is making it worse for the person they are shielding," said PC Richard Gatecliffe.

"My feeling is that there must be at least one other person who knows who is responsible, or at least has very strong suspicions.

"If someone is covering up for the driver, I am asking them to do that person a big favour and call the police now. The longer this drags on, the worse it makes the driver look."

Katie was today continuing to recover in York District Hospital. Police said she was now fully conscious, but in a lot of pain and distress and would have to undergo surgery on a broken arm, having already had an operation to fix plates in her jaw.

Officers are looking at a number of important new leads following appeals in the Evening Press and other media.

Mr Scales said: "This has been a nightmare for our family for someone to ring up and say your daughter has been knocked over.

"We have had to pick up the pieces, with the help or police and our family.

"It's not been good for us. Katie wants everything to end and get back to normal. She is in a hell of a lot of pain; it's horrible to see."

Updated: 12:20 Friday, December 13, 2002