FRIENDS of a Hampshire model left fighting for her life after a hit-and-run incident near her home are praying she pulls through.

Model Faye Townsend, 23, was walking along a country lane when she was mown down by a car that sped away from the scene and was later found abandoned.

An 18-year-old Totton girl arrested on suspicion of attempted murder has now been released on bail pending further police inquiries.

As reported in the Daily Echo Faye was injured and left for dead in Tutts Lane, West Wellow in what is believed to have been a targeted attack.

She was taken to Southampton General Hospital and remains in a critical but stable condition.

Daily Echo:

Friends have taken to social media to wish her a speedy recovery using the hashtag #prayforfaye.

Asked if Faye, above, will be all right Starr Chungh says: “She will be, I know she will.”

Beth Pickering adds: “She will be fine. She is a fighter.”

Angela Ratcliffe, chairman of Wellow Parish Council, told the Daily Echo: “I’ve seen Faye in the local shop and when I went in there the other day everyone was talking about it.

“I was shocked when I heard – you don’t expect that sort of thing in the village. Everyone is hoping she makes a full recovery.”

Another Wellow resident who asked not to be named, added: “I normally see Faye every day – she’s a smashing girl.”

Writing on her website, Faye says she enjoys every aspect of modelling.

Describing herself as “very positive and determined” she adds: “I find it all so exciting, so I’m very enthusiastic. I’m determined to work hard and push myself to the highest limits to ensure the job is done amazingly.”

Faye’s quest to become a top model has brought her into contact with several agencies including Glam Entertainment Enterprises and Pure Space Studios in London.

She says: “I love everything about this industry, from being made up and posing away to meeting new people and making friends.

“My ultimate goal is to be a successful model. I just need to be given the chance to show how capable I am.”

Faye, who is also an actress and dancer, received a merit in performing arts after completing a course that included a brief spell at Eastleigh College.

The hit-and-run, which happened just before 1.45pm on Tuesday, involved a white Nissan Micra that failed to stop at the scene.

Faye suffered serious head injuries in the incident and was left lying critically ill in the road. A member of the public called 999.

The car was later found abandoned in Calmore. Police believe it was deliberately driven at her by someone understood to have been known to her.

Contact Detective Sergeant Janine Bradley on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.