POLICE are hunting a hit-and-run driver who left a teenage pedestrian seriously injured.

The 17-year-old local girl, who has not yet been named, was hit by a dark-coloured 4x4 vehicle which failed to stop at the scene in Maryland Road, Risca, said Gwent Police's Inspector Gareth Beak.

The girl was seriously injured and was taken by ambulance to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, after the incident at 10.40pm on Friday. Gwent Police say her condition remains serious but stable.

Inspector Beak said the 4x4 is likely to have been parked in the street prior to the incident, which has shocked local people.

Lesley Hill, landlady of the Rolling Mill pub, in Risca, said: "To have something like that happen is awful. Risca is getting bigger but there is still this village-community feel to the town and people are very shocked. It has definitely frightened a lot of the locals.

"Who in their right mind would knock somebody over and then drive off?

"People are also very angry about it."

Risca councillor David Wiltshire said: "We've been disturbed for a considerable time in the Risca and Pontymister area regarding traffic.

"In this area, like many other towns in the county borough, we suffer with high volumes of traffic on narrow roads.

"In Maryland Road I have been approached by residents who are organising a petition about this very problem.

"I'm sure the highways department of Caerphilly county borough council are giving serious thought to the traffic problems in Risca and Pontymister. Somehow or other it has to be addressed."

Anybody with any information or who witnessed the collision should contact Gwent Police on 01633 838111 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.