A LITTLE girl suffered serious head injuries when she was knocked down by a suspected drink-driver.

The four-year-old child was struck by a Jeep Cherokee, in Gillingham, in front of her horrified mother.

The accident happened in Waterloo Road just before 5.30pm, on Monday, in the one-way street which has road humps.

One shocked resident, who didn’t want to be named, said: "I understand the girl’s mother tried to grab her as she ran in the road but, unfortunately, it was too late.

"When the ambulance arrived, paramedics took over and the girl was making lots of groaning noises. We understand she is making a slow recovery in hospital, I just hope she will be ok."

A spokesman for Kent Ambulance NHS Trust said: "We had the call just before 5.30pm. The girl suffered a fractured femur and serious head injuries. She was taken to Medway Maritime Hospital."

Her condition was considered to be life-threatening at first but she is now in a stable condition.

Ward Cllr Steve Kearney voiced his concerns over yet another child being knocked down in the area.

He said: "Quite a few children have been injured by cars in South Ward. Now another child has been seriously hurt."

Medway Police confirmed that a 38-year-old man, from the Gillingham, area was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving and has been "released pending further enquiries as we are awaiting analysis of samples given".

Officers would like anyone who witnessed the crash to contact the witness appeal line on 01622 600970.