A woman is recovering in hospital after a hit-and-run driver careered into her, shattering both her legs.

Vicki Crowther, a mother-of-four and a special needs teacher, was pinned up against her own car after the motorist lost control and drove into her.

Now, her driving instructor husband is launching an appeal to find the driver who almost killed her.

John Crowther, who has taught more than 1,000 drivers in his 18-year career, said: "She is lucky to be alive."

Vicki, 50, who teaches at Varndean School, was getting out of her car near the family home in Ditchling Road, Brighton, when the accident happened on Tuesday night in front of her 15-year-old son Guy.

John, 50, said: "She was locking the car when she heard the sound of a car being driven fast up Ditchling Road.

"She looked up and saw it coming straight at her with its headlights full on. She stood as close as she could to her car but he hit her."

Vicki, a member of a church drama group, fell into the road as the white Vauxhall Cavalier sped off.

When the car broke down in Stanford Avenue, the driver leapt out and fled.

Forensic experts are examining the car, which is not registered to an owner, as police appealed for witnesses.

Vicki was rushed to the Royal Sussex County Hospital where her two broken legs were put into plaster.

She could be off work for months and doctors are not sure when she will be well enough to return home.

John, who has been married to Vicki for 21 years, said: "It has been very traumatic. We are always together. She is such a lovely woman.

"These people can screw your lives up."

He believes the motorist may have clipped an island in the centre of the road before careering into his wife.

The accident has meant John has had to stop working to look after sons Guy and Leo, 17.

He said he had to let down people who were taking driving lessons and about to take their tests.

He said: "This is a slap in the face. You try to teach people to do the right thing and then there are these people who don't know right from wrong.

"They should face the consequences of their actions but he couldn't even stay at the scene to do that."

Anyone with information should call the police traffic department at Shoreham on 0845 6070999.