A TODDLER was rushed to hospital after a horrific collision with a cyclist on Bournemouth's promenade.

The two-year-old girl suffered a deep cut that went through her right ear and other cuts and bruises and spent the night in hospital following her ordeal.

Now police have launched an appeal to trace the cyclist who they say was travelling fast.

Officers say the rider stopped at the scene but the little girl's dad was so upset he ordered the cyclist to leave before any details were taken.

However, they have decided they need to speak to him and have issued a CCTV picture in a bid to track him down.

The accident happened outside Vesuvio Restaurant at Alum Chine at 8.30pm on Saturday August 30, during the air festival. Details have only just been released.

Although cycling is allowed on the prom at that time of night, there is a 10mph speed limit and it is feared the man involved in the accident may have been exceeding it.

PC Shaun Sutton of Dorset Police traffic unit said: "The child was leaving the beach and ran ahead towards her mother who was outside the rest-aurant opposite when the collision occurred with the cyclist, who I believe was travelling quite quickly.

"The shocked father picked up his daughter and spoke with the cyclist, who had stopped and gone back to speak with him, but because he was so upset the father told the rider to leave."

PC Sutton said the family, from Chislehurst in Kent, do not wish to be identified but the mother said: "The bike just came from nowhere and knocked my daughter over - I was shocked.

"I hope this will warn other cyclists that the promenade in summer can be too busy for it to be safe to cycle along at speed."

PC Sutton urged witnesses, or anyone who recognises the rider, to come forward. He is described as a young man, dressed in dark clothing and carrying a rucksack.

Dorset Police can be contacted in confidence on 01202 222222 or the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.