Police have launched an attempted murder inquiry after a 49-year-old Pc and father-of-four was badly hurt as he was mown down by a van in Bloxwich.

Pc Robin Haddock was struck by the white van he stopped after it ran a red light at 3.40am yesterday.

He remains in a critical condition today with serious head injuries and police have set up a major incident room in their attempts to track down the van and its driver.

Pc Haddock, of Sutton Coldfield, was due to receive a bravery award last night, after being nominated for arresting a man in Brownhills who threw petrol over two colleagues.

Pc Haddock and his patrol partner pulled over the van in Sneyd Lane, at the junction of Broad Lane and Sandbank. The driver then reversed into the squad car, striking Pc Haddock, before fleeing.

Pc Haddock’s award, from the Society for the Protection of Life from Fire , will now be given at a later date.

Police want anyone with information to call them on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.