Mechanics at repair shops could hold the key in the hunt for a car involved in a hit and run incident near the M6 in Walsall in which a 30-year-old woman was left with head injuries, police said today.

The woman was knocked down on a pelican crossing in Bloxwich Lane, Bentley, on Tuesday.

Police said the car in-volved was a small red hatchback and is likely to have suffered considerable damage to the front.

They are urging car repair shops in the region to look out for it.

Sgt Tim Rogers, of the police collision investigation unit, said the car was also described as possibly an old- style Ford Fiesta.

It was being driven from the direction of Beechdale towards the M6 at Junction 10 when the woman, who has not been named, was struck shortly after 4.35pm.

Police are appealing for anyone seeing a damaged car fitting the description to contact them.

Sgt Rogers said: “The victim suffered a serious head injury and bleeding on the brain, yet it appears the driver didn’t even slow down, let alone stop. Thankfully the victim is recovering in hospital.”

The woman is being treated at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the collision investigation unit, which is based at Aston police station, on 0345 113 5000.