A police officer who was dragged 400 yards while clinging on to a car told a superior it was like waterskiing on tarmac.

Sergeant David Tye's ordeal started when he leaned into a car to question the driver - and the vehicle sped off.

He let go of the blue Peugeot 405 just before a junction in Crowborough after the driver veered into a line of parked vehicles, crushing Sgt Tye's ankle.

Superintendent Ken Probert, who is leading the hunt for the driver, said Sgt Tye could have been more seriously injured or even killed.

Crowborough-based Sgt Tye approached the stationary car to talk to the driver at about 10.30pm yesterday.

Mr Probert said: "The driver's window was open and he leaned into the vehicle. As he did so, the driver took off down Trenches Road and Queens Road with the sergeant attached to it, almost waterskiing down the road."

When the car hit the parked vehicles Sgt Tye, fearing he might fall under the car's wheels if he let go, clung on for another 400 yards just before reaching the junction with Church Road.

The officer was taken to hospital with a a broken left ankle and cuts and bruises to his head, right shoulder, hands and right leg.

Mr Probert said: "I view it as an extremely serious incident if somebody is prepared to drive a vehicle with a police officer attached down the road and then go as far, if indeed that has happened, as colliding the vehicle with stationary cars as a means of dislodging the police officer because it can only result in extremely serious consequences.

"How can that person not be sure the police officer will not be seriously injured or killed?"

He said Sgt Tye was now recovering at home, shaken up but thankful he was not more seriously injured.

Mr Probert said a man claiming to be the driver had spoken to detectives saying he wanted to give himself up.

He appealed for anyone with information to come forward.