Police are appealing for witnesses after a young motorist apparently deliberately hit a teenage girl and then drove away laughing.

Sophie-Nicole Carter, 13, was walking with her mum Kerry-Ann in Biggin Street Dover at around 1.30pm on Saturday December 17, when the incident happened.

They were at the junction with Priory Street and Mrs Carter said the traffic had stopped to let people cross.

"I was right next to Sophie at the time," she said. "We were about half way across the road when the car in front started moving forward, and the young lad in the car behind us revved his engine.

"Sophie panicked and looked straight at him. I didn’t think he would be that stupid to do it, but he just drove straight into her leg. I shouted at him to say he had hit her. He was laughing. He thought it was funny. That’s what made me angry.

"I got Sophie to the other side of the road. She was in shock."

She was treated in hospital for a knee injury and is having to use crutches for a week.

The offender is described as a white man aged in his late teens or early 20s with short blonde or light brown hair, and was driving a small car like a Fiesta, which was silver or light blue.

Police Inspector Lara Connor appealed for witnesses to come forward. She said Sophie's injuries could have been a lot more serious.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is asked to contact PC Chris Hathaway on 01622 690690 or email: 9607@kent.pnn.police.uk