AN elderly holidaymaker was seriously injured and 'could have been killed', after a cyclist ploughed into her on Teignmouth promenade.

She landed face down on the concrete and was knocked unconscious, suffering a smashed elbow and a badly cut and bruised face.

Jean Legg, 76, spent five days in Torbay Hospital and, after being released on Tuesday, declared: 'It has ruined our holiday. I am still in pain and it is going to take a long time to recover.'

Police are now hunting the adult biker, who was also apparently hurt, but quickly made off from the scene.

Teignmouth's Mayor Cllr Vince Fusco said he was appalled by the incident and would be calling on Jean, and her husband Clifford, 78, at their seafront holiday flat with a present, and to apologise on behalf of the resort.

'I don't remember much about it because I was unconscious for a time and only recall coming around in the ambulance,' said Mrs Legg, from Wokingham, Surrey.

'I needed surgery on my broken arm and it had to be pinned. I landed on my face and it needed stitching, especially around my eye and nose. The doctors and staff at the hospital were excellent and I would like to thank them all.

'There is quite a bit of pain and I am still very shaky, but we will stay until the end of our holiday, which is tomorrow.'

Mr Legg said the incident occurred on the Eastcliff side of the pier on Wednesday of last week, at about 5.30pm.

'It was quiet because the weather was bad and we did not see or hear the cyclist coming from behind as we walked towards the pier.

'Suddenly Jean was on the floor, bleeding and knocked out.

'Apparently the cyclist, aged between 30 and 40, was bleeding as well, and picked himself up and went off. He returned shortly after saying "I'm sorry, I'm sorry", but then made off again with the bike.

'I was very, very worried about Jean because she was in a bad way.

'We have been coming to Teignmouth for many years and like the flat seafront for walking, because we both have health problems.

'I don't mind youngsters or anybody else cycling slowly on the promenade, and the skateboarders don't really bother us because they always make way when you go past.

'But adults racing around on a bike should know better. How he did not see us when there were so few people around is a mystery.

'We reported it to the police, who are taking it very serious and want any witnesses to come forward.

'Our fortnight by the sea has been ruined, although we did manage to celebrate our 56th wedding anniversary in Teignmouth before the accident.

'We love Teignmouth and, although it has been very traumatic, it will not deter us from coming back. I just hope they clamp down on these idiots going so fast on cycles; Jean could have been killed.'

Cllr Fusco described the incident as 'shocking and appalling'.

'People should not be cycling there, but the problem is, of course, enforcing it. There just aren't enough staff to stop every cyclist, and little children on bikes don't cause much of a nuisance.'

The chairman of Teignbridge Council, Cllr Sylvia Russell, who lives on the seafront, also visited the couple and took them a get well soon card.

'I was very upset to hear about it. This just shows how dangerous it can be to cycle on pavements and the promenade. It was bad enough, but could have been much more serious. Mrs Legg is a plucky lady to stay on after such an ordeal.'

PC Quant at Teignmouth Police Station is investigating the matter.

Anybody with any information should call the station, quoting log number 295.