THE family of a four-year-old child who suffered a broken leg after being hit by a car in Southampton is appealing for the driver to come forward.

Aleeza Ahmed was struck by a silver Ford Focus just outside her grandparents’ home in Denzil Avenue at around 7.50pm on Thursday.

The girl from Bassett was rushed to Southampton General Hospital.

His uncle Toqueer Kataria, 26, businessman, from Southampton, said: “We would like the driver to come out and apologise and go to the police and tell them exactly what happened.

“We would like to thank those who gave police all the information and the ambulance for the swift response. If anyone has more information please tell police.”

Aleeza was visiting her grandparents’ home for a family meal with her uncle Afzal Ahmed, who had just arrived from Bulgaria to see her.

Mr Ahmed, 24, originally from Southampton, studies medicine in Bulgaria and was going to surprise Aleeza that night.

He said: “I phoned my sister to let her know I was arriving but when I phoned her she was crying on the phone and said Aleeza had been hit by a car. I was in shock and thought the worse. I feared for her life.”

Aleeza is still in hospital, where her parents Mohamed Noman, 33, a businessman and Ruksana Ahmed, 30, a former teacher both from Southampton, have been at her bedside.

Hampshire Police say the Ford Focus, which has a registration that ends UEN, was later recovered by officers in Fanshaw Street, close to Onslow Road.

PC Ian Bassett said: “We believe that when the silver Ford Focus left the scene it dropped off two people in Verulam Road a short time later.

“We would like to speak to anyone who may have seen this car driving around this area as you could have information that could really help our investigation.

“If you witnessed the incident or know who was in the car, then please get in touch with us.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to appeal to the driver of the car to come forward so that we can find out exactly what happened.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Totton Roads Policing Unit 101, quoting 44170289565, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.