A KENT teenager was continuing to fight for his life today after being struck by a hit-and-run driver.

The parents of Jean-Phillipe Lemoi, 15, from Lordswood, Chatham, are keeping a vigil at his bedside in a specialist intensive care unit in London.

Medway Police are stepping up their appeal for witnesses and spent more than two hours questioning motorists at the scene of the accident, the following evening.

Jean-Phillipe was walking along Hempstead Road, Hempstead with three friends at about 8.45pm on Wednesday when a light-coloured car travelling at high speed struck him from behind. He and his friends were walking towards Capstone Road, Chatham, at the time. The motorist drove on.

The Medway ambulance crew who went to the scene said the teenager was unconscious and had lost a fair amount of blood.

Jean-Phillipe was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital suffering from serious injuries to his head. He was later transferred to King's College Hospital, London, where he is in a coma and his condition was described as critical.

Insp Richard Watson, from Medway Police, said: "We believe the car involved was light-coloured and possibly a Ford Escort. We expect the car to have damage to the front and are asking anyone who has seen a car of this description with recent damage to contact us immediately."

Between 8pm and 10pm yesterday, officers stopped motorists and asked if them if they had been driving on the road the night before.

One driver, who did not want to be named, said: "I was stopped by police officers last night just after 9.30pm. It was a routine check at the same time and place the accident happened. They asked if I knew there'd been an accident and if I'd been in the area at the time. They took all my contact details and the registration of the car."

Officers are also keen to speak to the driver of a two-tone Ford Escort Cabriolet who was seen in the area close to the accident.

Insp Watson, added: "It is vital that we trace anyone who may been in the area at the time of the accident and urge anyone who may have information in connection with this incident to come forward immediately. "

Anyone with information should contact Medway Police on 01634 884252 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. All calls to Crimestoppers are free and are treated in the strictest of confidence.