A MAJOR police hunt is under way to find a hit and run driver that left a man fighting for his life in Southampton.

A 28-year-old man from the city suffered life threatening head injuries after being knocked down by an unidentified silver car, thought to be similar to a Vauxhall Astra.

Today he was still in Southampton General hospital where his condition was described as critical but stable.

His family are understood to be keeping a bedside vigil.

Paramedics attending the scene in Darwin Road in Shirley suspected the victim may have suffered a fractured skull and he was rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment.

Yesterday police are understood to have spent hours interviewing witnesses who were with the victim to try and piece together what happened.

It is believed he was on the way home from a night out in the city centre when the collision occurred.

Police are now appealing for witnesses who may have seen the incident in the early hours of yesterday morning (SUNDAY) or the vehicle, which is thought to have headed into Shirley after the collision.

Anyone with information is asked to call police on 0845 045 4545.