A child hit by a car in Chadwell Heath in a suspected hit and run is in hospital with serious head injuries.

The boy, nine, was taken to the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel by ambulance as a priority.

His baby sister, who was hit by the car while being pushed in a pram, was taken to hospital as a precaution.

Their mother, believed to be in her 30s, was treated by paramedics at the scene of the crash for minor injuries.

An eyewitness said the boy was being taken home from Chadwell Primary School when they were hit by the car in Grove Road at 3.50pm.

The car did not stop at the scene.

Shailesh Patel, who owns Grove Road News and Off Licence, said the crash happened outside his shop.

He said: “A car came down the road and mounted the pavement and hit her.

“The mum had been to pick up her son from Chadwell Primary School and had a little baby in a pram.

“There was blood in the road and the pram was turned over.”

Police cordoned off part of Grove Road after the accident and the 362 bus may be delayed or diverted.