The Police Complaints Authority has been informed about an accident involving a pedestrian who was hit by a car police were trying to stop.

The man was still in a critical but stable condition last night after being struck by the car which plain clothes officers had been attempting to stop to speak to the men inside.

The car sped off, narrowly missing one officer but mounting the pavement in Lynchet Close, Hollingdean, Brighton, and hitting the pedestrian.

The 39-year-old man, from Brighton, was taken to hospital with multiple injuries.

Three men were arrested and released on bail.