THE condition of the nine-year-old girl involved in a collision with a cyclist near Branksome Beach last month is said to be ‘improving’.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said that there is expected to be a ‘positive outlook’ to Leila Croft’s condition, following the collision on Pinecliff Road, at around 4.30pm, on July 26, which left the little girl in a critical condition.

Leila, from Sandbanks, was taken to Southampton General Hospital’s paediatric intensive care unit, where her parents, Chanine Boulton and Darren Crofts have remained at her bedside. They have also asked for their daughter to be in everyone’s thoughts and prayers.

Following the incident, which happened as Leila crossed the road and came into collision with the cyclist, Dorset Police issued an appeal for the bike rider to come forward.

A 38-year-old Bournemouth man was later arrested after presenting himself at a police station and has been released on bail pending further enquiries.