POLICE are trying to trace the driver of a car that hit a pedestrian in the early hours of the morning.

The 29-year-old was hit in Tintern Avenue, Westcliff, near its junction with London Road at about 1am.

Although the pedestrian initially thought he was fine to walk home he later had to go to hospital.

An Essex Police spokesman said: “The driver of the car, thought to be a black Ford, stopped to check on the pedestrian but he declined any assistance and tried to walk home.

“The pedestrian declined any assistance and tried to walk home before realising he had suffered injuries which needed hospital treatment. “He was taken to Southend Hospital for treatment to his injuries which are not thought to be life threatening or changing.”

Police would like the driver, who was white, and aged 30 to 40, to get in touch.

Anyone with information can call Southend police station on 101.