A policeman's knee was shattered when he was tossed into the air by a car which failed to stop.

PC Andy Misrahi, 41, tried to hang on to the vehicle but the driver sped away, flipping him over the bonnet.

PC Misrahi, married with two teenage children, suffered head, arm and leg wounds. He had surgery on his smashed knee at Worthing Hospital yesterday.

His family joined him there as get-well messages began pouring in for the popular, award-winning officer.

A 20-year-old driver later handed himself in at Shoreham police station and was helping with inquiries into possible offences of causing grievous bodily harm, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, obstructing a drugs search and failing to stop at the scene of an accident.

The incident happened just before 9pm on Monday as PC Misrahi tried to carry out a drugs search on a Ford Fiesta in Upper Shoreham Road at its junction with Oxen Avenue, Shoreham.

He and a female colleague were about to search the driver when the car suddenly sped away. Its open door caught PC Misrahi.

Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe, district commander for Shoreham police, said: "Andy was injured in the execution of his duties. I am thankful his injuries are not life-threatening, although they were serious. He is one of our best, very popular. He has awards for his good work."

Ms Rowe appealed for witnesses to come forward.