POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a man was left in intensive care after he was allegedly knocked off his bike by a hit-and-run driver.

The man, in his 50s, was cycling on Julians Road near Wimborne toward the Corfe Mullen roundabout at 10.50pm on Saturday, when he was allegedly struck from behind by a vehicle and knocked to the ground.

The car, which is believed to be a dark-coloured Volkswagen Polo from debris found at the scene, did not stop after the crash.

The man suffered serious injuries including eight broken ribs, a fracture to his back, a broken ankle and is currently in intensive care at Poole Hospital.

One man, a 28-year-old local man has been arrested for allegedly failing to stop and has now been relased on police bail until October 2015.

Dorset Police are now appealing for any witnesses or anyone who has any information regarding the crash to contact them.

Police Constable Dave Cotterill, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “This is a very serious incident and I am appealing for anyone who witnessed the collision, or who was in the area and saw a dark coloured Polo at the relevant time, to contact me on 101”

Witnesses and anyone with information are urged to call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 29:493.

Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.