A girl who was knocked down as she left a birthday party could be allowed home from hospital within two weeks.

The five-year-old, from Pulborough, was knocked down on December 15 as she crossed the A283 in nearby Cootham.

She suffered head injuries in the collision and had to be taken to a specialist neurological hospital for treatment.

Yesterday police said the youngster was on the mend and had been moved out of a high-dependency unit.

Sergeant Larry Culver said: "She could be home within a week to ten days, which is great news.

"We are all very surprised at how quickly she is recovering.

"It is likely she will need some therapy to help her get her speech back but she has done remarkably well."

The girl was crossing the road to meet her mother when the accident happened.

She was initially taken to St Richard's Hospital in Chichester but was transferred to the neurological centre at Southampton General Hospital because of her head injuries.

The 44-year-old male driver of the Skoda Octavia was unhurt in the accident.