A MAN was seriously injured after being struck by a car in his village.

A man and a woman, both aged 34, one of whom is believed to be the driver of the car, have been arrested following the collision in Litton Cheney, between Dorchester and Bridport.

The injured pedestrian, named locally as postman Julian Moyes, was hit by a car as he walked home from the pub on Sunday.

Mr Moyes, 49, was walking with friend Tom French, who works at the White Horse pub, when the car struck him on Litton Lane, near the junction with Cox’s Lane.

Mr French said: “I had been working in the pub earlier that evening, and had a drink with Julian when I finished my shift.

“We were walking home together, as we live near each other, having a bit of banter, which is normal. Then a car came round the corner.”

He added: “We pressed ourselves really close to the wall, but the car hit Julian.”

Mr French called the emergency services, and Mr Moyes was taken to Dorset County Hospital by ambulance after being treated by paramedics.

A spokesman for Dorset Police said: “A serious injury road traffic collision happened close to the White Horse pub.

“Two pedestrians were walking along an unlit country lane when a 49-year-old man was struck by a passing vehicle.

“He was knocked to the ground and suffered subsequent head injuries and possible back injuries.

“The occupants of the car were known to the other pedestrian.

“Two people have been arrested and the vehicle has been seized for investigation.”

Cassie Williamson, landlady of the White Horse said villagers were “very concerned” about the condition of Mr Moyes, who she describes as a regular at the pub.

She added: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard.

“I wasn’t there that night but he only lives across the road.

“It’s the last thing you expect to happen in a quiet village.”

It happened just before 11pm on Sunday and is the second time in as many months that an accident on the unlit roads in the village has left a person hospitalised.

In January, villager Bruce Davies was rushed to hospital after being found in a stream.

It is believed he spent the night in the water after falling into the stream and injuring himself.

Ms Williamson said Mr Davies is out of hospital and recovering.

Dorset Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101.