A little boy who broke his foot after being hit by a car has been given a bravery commendation by Kingston police.

Four-year-old Michael Skelton, four, had ended the summer holidays with a trip to Legoland in Windsor with his parents and twin brother, Frank, on August 31, when the family pulled into Chessington Parade to buy dinner from Mr Chips fish and chip takeaway.

Mum Vereena Skelton had gone inside the shop to buy the family’s dinner when Michael told her he needed the loo, and was taken back to the car, where his father Darren and brother were, and relieved himself.

Mrs Skelton said: “He then told his daddy he wanted to go and see mummy. My husband said, ‘No, I’ll cross you over safely,’, but was seat-belted in the car so couldn’t get him. It was a recipe for disaster.

“That was when he was hit. The car wasn’t going very fast, probably about 10mph. At that point he ran back to my husband crying and screaming and that was when I realised he was hit by a car.

“The back of his leg was purple and I felt instantly sick to my stomach.”

Police officers Steve Ogles and Amy Gillett luckily happened to arrive on their patrol, where they took Michael into the police car to radio for an ambulance and treat the female driver of the car, who also had a her own three-year-old with her.

As an ambulance was not available to immediately treat Michael, the two PCs gained permission for a blue light route and drove him and his mother to hospital.

Mrs Skelton said: “On the way he suddenly became really quiet. PC Ogles asked him if he was ok and he said, ‘It hurts so much but I’m trying to be brave’.”

Michael was then treated overnight and given a cast for his leg, before the officers went to visit him at home to award him the Police Constables Bravery Commendation.

It read: “Outstanding courage and bravery after being involved in an accident where you hurt your leg and impressed all those involved.”

Mrs Skelton said he was “very proud” of receiving the award, and should be fully recovered in three weeks.

A Kingston police spokesman said: “All of us at Kingston police wish you the best, Michael, and we hope you get better soon.”