The parents of a boy who suffered horrific injuries in a road accident are making a claim for damages against the driver who knocked him down.

Pamela and Tony Speight, of Lowood Lane, Fieldhead, Birstall, say their six-year-old son Thomas is entitled to compensation for the pain and suffering.

They have instructed their solicitor to make the claim through the 28-year-old Birstall driver's insurance company on Thomas' behalf.

The news comes as the police reveal they are not prosecuting the driver for the accident which happened in October, the day after Thomas' birthday.

The youngster's right ankle bone was shattered after he was dragged under the wheels of a car outside his home as he was crossing the road.

He underwent seven hours of microsurgery at Pinderfields Hospital, in Wakefield, where doctors took muscle from his back and a skin graft from his left leg to rebuild the ankle.

His mother Pamela, 32, said: "Thomas's ankle could be in plaster for months and we don't yet know if he will need more operations. We will know more when he goes for a check-up to hospital in January. He is getting about on crutches but is still too scared to put his foot down.

"We feel he is entitled to compensation for all the pain and suffering. We don't know how much money he would receive. We received a letter from the police saying they were not prosecute because there was not enough evidence. I was very disappointed and actually cried.''

Sergeant Alan Kaye, traffic commander for the Dewsbury sub division, said: "The driver was arrested at the scene of the accident on suspicion of drinking and driving but subsequent tests proved he was not over the limit.''

The Speights' solicitor, Paul Glanville, of Halifax-based firm John Pickering and Partners, said: "I have been instructed by my client to make a claim for damages against the driver through his insurers.''

Residents on the estate have called for better speed humps, the 30mph speed limit cut to 20mph and signs warning drivers to slow down.

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