A 12-YEAR-OLD girl is fighting for her life in hospital after a hit and run in Newbury.

Thames Valley Police said it happened when the girl was walking with her family on the northbound carriageway of the A339 just before 9pm yesterday.

She was walking close to the railway overbridge near Station Road.

Police said the girl was hit by a vehicle as she walked towards the town centre.

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Officers said the vehicle was believed to be a white flatbed van or recovery vehicle which failed to stop at the scene after the crash.

The girl was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital where she remains in a critical condition. The forc said her family is with her at the hospital.

Investigating officer, PC Mark Dunne of the Serious Collision Investigation Unit said: "We are making an urgent appeal to anyone who has any information about this collision which has left a 12-year-old girl in a critical condition.

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"I am making a direct appeal to the driver of the vehicle to come forward.

"If anyone witnessed the collision or has dash-cam footage then we would also like to hear from you.

"The vehicle involved may have noticeable damage around the front nearside, so if anyone has seen a similar vehicle with damage then please contact the police as soon as you can.

"You can leave your information on our website or by calling 101, quoting reference 1178 (27/12)."