A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an incident near Selby.

The man was driving a blue Citroen estate car when it collided with a pedal cyclist, in Hambleton, yesterday afternoon.

The cyclist, a local man in his 50s, suffered two broken arms and was today said to be "serious but stable" in Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

A police spokesman said that the two men became involved in an argument outside Hambleton Post Office, in Station Road, just after 1pm yesterday.

One of the men left the scene on his bicycle and the Citroen driver drove off in the same direction.

The spokesman said the car and cycle then collided some time later, in nearby Chapel Street.

The driver of the Citroen, also local and said to be in his 40s, was later arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

He was interviewed yesterday at York Police Station and will be interviewed at greater length today by CID officers.

The men involved in the incident are believed to be near-neighbours in the village.

Detective Sergeant Maria Taylor, of York CID, said today that a lot of residents in Hambleton had phoned the police about the incident, who were at the scene within minutes.

She said: "We have had a good response. A lot of people rang in at the time of the collision. Some people were in the vicinity at the time and witnessed various parts of the picture."

A Selby Police spokesman said that the cyclist - who may undergo surgery today - would also be interviewed, once he was in a fit condition.

He said that the altercation between the two men appeared to continue after they left the post office.

Hambleton postmaster Keith Parkinson said today: "They were inside the post office and had been arguing for a couple of minutes.

"They were very angry but it didn't come to blows. They then left one at a time."

Resident Jim Price, a former parish council chairman, said: "The whole village is in shock. People could not believe what they were seeing."

Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision, which happened just before 1.30pm yesterday.

Anyone with information should contact police on 01609 783131.

Updated: 14:00 Wednesday, August 06, 2003