The youngster was involved in a collision in Hartlepool's Owton Manor Lane and was taken to the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton by ambulance.

The incident happened near the junction of Braemar Road and police said the youngster was taken to hospital after her head hit the windscreen of a black Vauxhall Signum Elite vehicle in the smash at about 6.15pm yesterday.

Inspector Bernie Hanson, of Hartlepool Police, said: "She has had a nasty bang on the head. She was conscious and breathing."

The driver of the Vauxhall Signum, a 52-year-old man from the south Fens area of town, stayed at the scene and was uninjured.

In a separate collision a 38-year-old woman was hit in Stockton Road by a grey Vauxhall Zafira and was taken to hospital with a suspected broken leg.

It happened at about 8pm yesterday and police said the woman, from the town centre area of Hartlepool, was complaining of a pain in her leg and was shaking.

The driver, a man from the Brenda Road area of Hartlepool, also aged 38, was uninjured.

In a third incident a Citroen C3 car collided with a stationary Vauxhall Zafira in Clavering Road at the junction of Bamburgh Road. Police say the vehicle left the scene.

A bus driver saw the incident and contacted police, who were later also called by the car driver.

A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of drink driving in relation to the incident.

Police have issued a warning for people to be careful while driving in winter.

Insp Hanson said: "When the weather is bad and it's dark people need to be extra vigilant – pedestrians and drivers.

"Our policy is, after any road traffic accident you will be breathalised and if you have been drinking there's a chance we are going to catch you."