A MOTHER claimed today that a van clipped her toddler's buggy - putting his life in danger.

Louise Collins, 20, of Byland Avenue, Bell Farm, said she was left "horrified" when the driver allegedly tried to squeeze through a narrow gap as they walked along Feasegate in York city centre.

Her boyfriend, Shane Euson, 19, then cycled after the van to get the driver to stop, but was unable to get the driver's attention.

"He only clipped the buggy, but it's the principle," Miss Collins said. "He should have had the decency to stop and say sorry. My baby could have been seriously hurt. Sometimes he has his arm hanging out of the buggy."

Miss Collins said she immediately reported the incident to a police officer who was in the area at the time.

"I don't think they will do anything about it," she said.

Miss Collins, whose son, Liam, is 18 months old, criticised the fact that traffic can use the busy shopping street. "There is just no room along there whatsoever," she said.

"I don't think the driver clipped the buggy deliberately, but he was being impatient trying to get past us. There were a lot of pedestrians about."

Miss Collins said if the police did not take any action, she might consider taking the matter further.

"Any right-minded person would have said sorry for what happened," she added. "Liam is my son and he could have been hurt."

A spokesman for York police said: "An accident did occur at the junction of Parliament Street and Feasegate between a pedal cycle and a red Astra van. The cyclist suffered minor grazing to his leg.

"There is an allegation that the van clipped the pram, but there is no evidence to support this. No charges have been brought at this time, however, a police report has been logged."

Updated: 10:26 Monday, June 27, 2005