A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl was last night fighting for her life after been knocked over by a hit-and-run driver as she danced in the street showing off her bridesmaid's tiara.

Sophie Graham had been a flower girl at her aunt's wedding the previous day and wanted to show friends her outfit.

She was playing outside her home in Northbourne Street, Gateshead, wearing her headdress, white wedding shoes and carrying a posy of flowers.

But as she crossed the road to return home, she was hit by a car.

Her mother, Andrea, 27, heard a screech of brakes and rushed outside to find Sophie unconscious, with her posy by her side.

Mrs Graham said the driver parked the grey Volvo and walked away, without making any attempt to help her daughter.

Sophie was taken to Newcastle General Hospital with a double fracture to the skull and a broken leg. Last night, her condition was described as "critically ill".

Moments before the accident, Mrs Graham had been playing with her daughter but returned to her home at about 1.25pm on Sunday to put clothes in the washing machine.

Mrs Graham said: "It is every mother's worst nightmare to see your child lying unconscious in the middle of the road.

"She looked so helpless. I don't know what sort of person could see her lying there and just walk away."

Appealing for witnesses, a Northumbria Police spokesman said a man had been arrested and was helping their inquiries.