PENSIONER Norman Wilson told today of the terrible moment he and his brother, Sid, were nearly wiped out by a hit-and-run driver.

And he spoke of his deep gratitude to a Helmsley pub - the Feathers Hotel - for the way in which they had launched a fundraising drive for Sid as he battles to recover from a catalogue of injuries.

Norman, 71, who lives with his brother in Ryegate, Helmsley, said the incident happened as they were walking along the pavement in Bridge Street, Helmsley, on the evening of Friday, September 1.

"He was on the outside and I was on the inside when this car came over the bridge. It was really moving. It was going about 60.

"It went across the street from the left to the right and then it mounted the pavement and just knocked Sid down. It almost got me as well. We could both have been killed.

"Then the car was off. It was going about 60. He knew he had hit him.

"It was very dark and I couldn't get the number plate."

Sid, 63, was taken to Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, and treated for a fractured skull, fractured ankle and broken leg, which was pinned and plated.

But he was subsequently found to have a clot on his brain and he was taken to hospital in Middlesbrough for it to be successfully removed before going back to Northallerton.

Norman expected Sid to have returned home by today, and said he was prepared to do whatever was needed to look after him as he continued his recovery.

He said it would be many weeks before Sid could start working again, and he would miss the income.

"He is self-employed and the money being raised by the Feathers will be a really big help."

The Feathers, where Sid cuts the grass at the back as well as being a regular in the bar, has a couple of collection boxes on the bar. It has also organised a raffle at a darts night and is holding a quiz night and another raffle tomorrow evening on Sid's behalf.

Food and beverage manager Simon Parker said: "Sid is well-liked, and we miss him. And we're looking forward to seeing him back at the Feathers."

A police spokesman appealed for anyone with information which might assist inquiries into the incident to telephone the force on 01609 783131.