A PREGNANT woman is fighting for her life after being hit by a car while trying to stop an attempted fraud at an off-licence.

The woman, in her 30s, intervened during an incident at the Turnpike Off-licence in London Road, Leigh, at about 5pm last night.

She suffered injuries to her head and face, as well as internal injuries. She was taken to hospital where police described her condition as “life-threatening”.

The baby is believed to be unharmed.

A 25 year-old man was arrested at an address in London in the early hours of today on suspicion of dangerous driving, assault, fraud by false representation and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

He was taken to Southend police station where he remains in custody.

A man who was on his way home to Hadleigh, who asked not to be named, said: "The police had a big cordon around where the takeaway or offlicence area is on the left if you’re heading westbound on the London Road.

"The London Road westbound was shut off and there was six or seven marked police cars either parked or patrolling the area and a big police truck thing parked next to the cordon.

"It looked like quite a serious event whatever was unfolding."

Detective Inspector Stuart Truss said: "The shop was very busy at that time of day and there were also a lot of people in the area who may have seen what happened.

"I would urge anyone who witnessed the incident or has any other information about it to come forward and contact us.”

Anyone who witnessed this incident, or has any other information about it, and has not yet spoken to police is asked to call 101 quoting incident 707 of 27/03 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.