The incident happened at about 4.15pm, when the town was busy with late-night Christmas shoppers.

A 17-year-old boy suffered what were initially thought to be life-threatening injuries but following assessment and treatment at the University Hospital Of North Staffordshire in Stoke On Trent, they are now not believed to be serious.

Several witnesses have already spoken to police but Police Constable Ross Cookson, of West Mercia Police’s Force Operations Support Team said many others are likely to have seen what happened.

“At this stage it is believed that the young man was crossing Barker Street near the entrance to the car park outside Fever nightclub and the rear of The Village home interiors when he was in collision with a black Hyundai Getz, that was travelling up Barker Street towards the indoor market,” he said.

“The town was very busy as it was Christmas late-night shopping and I ask anyone who might have seen what happened who has not yet spoken to police to get in touch on 101.”

The collision caused extensive traffic disruption in the town centre, which was closed from Wyle Cop following the incident, with diversions put in place.

“Police worked as quickly as possible to deal with the incident, which due to the initial belief that the young man was seriously injured, necessitated the closure of the main roads through the town centre,” he said.

“Fortunately, following his arrival at hospital he was not as badly hurt as first thought and officers opened the roads as soon as possible, with things back to normal shortly after 7pm.”