DETECTIVES are hunting a mobility scooter driver who sped off after running over a 94-year-old pensioner, leaving her lying injured on the ground.

She was left with cuts and bruises and required several stitches after Saturday’s hit-and-run in the cut way between Boots in The Hundred and Romsey Bus Station.

Paramedics treated the victim at the scene.

Police officers are now trying to trace the mobility scooter involved and are appealing for witnesses to the incident, which happened at about 12.30pm.

PC Peter Stansfield, who is investigating the case, said: “This incident has left an elderly woman injured and very shaken. It has happened at a busy time of the day in Romsey town centre and I’m sure someone will have seen something relevant to our investigation. I’d urge them to contact us.

Disabled people with mobility scooters can drive the vehicles on pavements and in pedestrianised areas provided they are fitted with a device to prevent them going more than four miles per hour. Paul Woodward, from Romsey Disability Forum, said that he preferred not to comment on an indivual’s actions but added: “However, one would expect that anyone visiting the town centre, whether as a pedestrian, a car driver or using a mobility scooter, should be considerate of those around them, and fortunately most people do adhere to that sense of common courtesy.”

Nick Michell, who manages the market near to where the 94-year-old was hit, said: “We should look at the laws about scooters – whether they should be allowed on pavements.”

Bertie Lemint, a stallholder at the market, said: “I don’t think they should be allowed on the pavement. Scooter drivers don’t just ask you to get out of the way, they expect you to.”

Andy Watkins, who works in the area, said: A lot of people on scooters are a law unto themselves. It wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened.”

It is the second time in recent months that a mobility scooter has injured a pedestrian in Hampshire.

Susan Daniels was left with a fractured knee and a ruptured tendon in her left arm after an 88-year-old man crashed into her in Station Road, New Milton.

The 69-year-old now finds it difficult to get around and she has called for the law to be changed to stop people using scooters without tax or insurance.

Anyone with information about Saturday’s incident is asked to contact PC Stansfield at Romsey police station on 101.