HIS family say it was an accident waiting to happen.

Elderly pedestrian Tom Sherlock, 67, suffered two broken hips and other injuries after leaving the Pilgrim Inn, Marchwood, and walking along a busy road with no pavement.

Now his wife Anne and other family members have launched a petition in a bid to persuade highway bosses to build a footway.

Mr Sherlock's son James, 38, of Dibden Purlieu, said: "This was an accident waiting to happen. The lack of pavement means people have no option but to walk in the road.

"Dad broke both hips, his right leg and shattered one of his ankles.

"People have been calling for a pavement along that stretch of road but nothing has been done. If a path had been put in, this would never have happened."

Speaking to the Daily Echo from his hospital bed, Mr Sherlock said: "My house is only about 200 metres from the pub and it wasn't worth taking the car - even though I'd have been safer in a vehicle.

"I got about halfway home and the next thing I remember is waking up in hospital. It's a very dangerous road. I take extra care when walking along it and always advise other pedestrians to do the same."

Residents have spent years calling for a pavement to be built beside the narrow unlit road, which links the country pub with the rest of the parish.

Campaigners include Marchwood resident Mike Rich, one of Mr Sherlock's nearest neighbours.

Mr Rich said: "That road's lethal and always has been - but it's taken a serious accident to highlight the issue."

Marchwood Parish Council is drawing up a village plan that will urge Hampshire County Council to look at the possibility of installing a footway.

Parish councillor Ron Vango-Fisher said: "There have been requests for a path but no great campaign because most of the people who go to the Pilgrim drive there."

A county council spokesman said: "The lack of a footway has been drawn to our attention. Any provision would need to become part of the county council's programme, having been fully assessed in terms of its amenity value and contribution to safety.

"Although it does not currently feature in any of our programmes it could be put forward for consideration."

The accident happened last Friday, shortly after 10pm.

A police spokesman said: "A pedestrian was struck by a vehicle's nearside wing mirror, causing him to fall to the ground. He sustained hip and ankle injuries that required surgery."