THE VICTIM of a hit-and-run accident is backing calls for a pavement to be built to protect walkers on a busy country road linking two villages on the Waterside.

Wendy Bennett was walking home from the Pilgrim Inn at Hythe Road, Marchwood, last year when she was injured by a vehicle which failed to stop.

Mrs Bennett, of Drake Close, Marchwood, said she suffered head and facial injuries in the accident and was off work for two weeks.

She has spoken out following a similar incident involving Marchwood pensioner Tom Sherlock, 67. He too was walking home from the Pilgrim along that stretch of road.

Tom's injuries were severe. He broken both his hips as well as a leg and he shattered an ankle in the accident with a taxi on July 13.

As reported in the Daily Echo, his family has launched a petition calling for a pavement to be built beside the narrow, unlit road that links Marchwood and Dibden.

Mrs Bennett said: "My accident happened shortly after 10pm as I left the Pilgrim with friends.

"Police think I was hit by the car's wing mirror and spun round, hitting my head on the vehicle. I sustained two black eyes, swollen lips and head injuries that required nine stitches.

"I notified the parish council because I felt very strongly about the lack of a footpath."

Mrs Bennett said the accident happened last November but it was only recently that she had felt confident enough to brave the road again.

A police spokesman said: "Four people were walking along the road when one of them was struck by a passing vehicle. Unfortunately they weren't able to give us a description, which meant there was very little for us to go on."

Marchwood Parish Council is devising a village plan that urges Hampshire County Council to investigate the possibility of building a pavement along Hythe Road.

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."