A man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after a cyclist was left fighting for her life following a hit-and-run crash has been freed on bail, police said today.

The 35-year-old cyclist, who is understood to have been known to the suspect, was struck in Canterbury Road, Worthing, at 10.45pm on Friday.

She was taken with life threatening injuries to a hospital in Southampton, where her condition was today described as critical, a spokesman for Sussex Police said.

A Ford Transit van was found abandoned near to the scene of the crash and is being recovered.

Detectives from Sussex Police's major crime branch arrested a 44-year-old man from Worthing on Saturday on suspicion of attempted murder.

He has since been released on bail until Monday, March 31, pending further inquiries, a police spokesman said.

Detective Chief Inspector Steve Johns, leading the inquiry, said: "It is vital that witnesses come forward, so we can glean the sequence of events leading up to how the cyclist sustained her injuries.

"We are especially keen to hear from anyone who may have seen a vehicle and the driver, who may have been involved."

How the suspect is known to the victim has not been disclosed.

Police appealed to anyone with information to call Sussex Police on 0845 6070 999, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111, quoting Operation Trader.