A PEDESTRIAN who was injured by a people carrier which mounted the pavement has said that his injuries could have been much worse.

Jim McConnell, 64, of Gainford, near Darlington, was clipped by the wing mirror of a blue Renault Scenic as he walked to the village's Spar shop to buy a newspaper.

An articulated lorry travelling towards Barnard Castle was overtaking a parked van when the Renault - travelling in the opposite direction - mounted the pavement to avoid it.

Although he only suffered bruising to his arm, he said the accident could have been much worse.

He said: "Some of the pavements here in Gainford are very thin and this one didn't have any kerb.

"It knocked the wing mirror right back and he didn't stop. My arm's bruised, but if I had been a pensioner with sticks or a young mother it could have been a lot worse."

The incident happened at about 9.30am on March 21. Anybody with information is asked to call PC Lee Nattrass on 0845 6060 365.