A POLICE hunt is underway after an elderly woman was knocked down by a hit- and-run driver.

The callous motorist drove off after knocking the woman down at traffic lights in Pontnewynydd.

The pensioner, who has been named locally as Lil, was hit by a car on St Luke's Road, Pontnew-ynydd and left in the road.

An ambulance was called by a member of the public at 9.37am and was at the scene six minutes later.

Crews from Pontypool Ambulance Station responded.

The woman, 66, was taken to Nevill Hall Hospital with arm and leg injuries after a call believed to have come from the nearby post office alerted the emergency services. Witnesses reported seeing a small, light-coloured car drive off after the woman was struck.

Two men wearing fluorescent jackets were believed to be first on the scene and helped the woman to her feet.

Steven Dimicrakis, of Dimis and Sons, said: "We would do anything to help Lil, she is well-known in the village. This is not the first time this kind of thing has happened, we have had quite a few knock-downs here where drivers haven't stopped at the red lights."

Snatchwood Councillor Ivor Davies said he has urged police to put cameras at the scene, which he says is an accident black spot. "I have raised the issue time and time again, but police say there has to be a certain number of accidents in the same area before they can put up a speed camera," he said.

He cited two other incidents at the same area.

"My wife was nearly knocked down there the other day and a couple of weeks ago a woman with a push chair was clipped by a car as she tried to cross the road to the Post Office.

"We shouldn't have to wait until there is a fatal accident before anything is done. We have been lucky again this time that no one was killed, but it's only by luck," he added.

A Police spokesman said: "It was believed to be a white, or light-coloured small car. We are keen to speak to two men wearing fluorescent jackets, who assisted the woman. They are not suspects in any way, but they had gone before police arrived on the scene."

Anyone with any information about the hit-and- run can call police on 01633 838111.