A MAN who was knocked down by a car is in hospital with serious injuries.

The 38-year-old, from the Consett area, was struck by a VW Polo on the A692 Consett Bypass shortly after 7pm on Monday night.

He was taken to the RVI in Newcastle and his condition has been described as stable.

The 21-year-old driver of the car and his front seat passenger, a 20-year-old man, were arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

The driver has since been released under investigation.

His passenger will face no further action.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which happened between the Villa Real roundabout and Delves Lane roundabout.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident number 421 of February 12.