A PENSIONER who was struck by a car on Canvey is “recovering well”, her friends say.

An 88-year-old woman was struck by what was believed to be a motorbike, near the area of Craven Avenue and Denham Road, Canvey, shortly before 9.30pm on Thursday last week.

The woman suffered potentially life-threatening injuries and was taken to Addenbrookes Hospital for further treatment.

The driver of the motorbike failed to stop at the scene.

There were fears she may lose a leg, but it is now hoped this will not happen.

However, John Stevens, manager of Rio Bingo, in Furtherwick Road on the island, which the woman attended regularly, said she was looking to be home before Christmas.

Mr Stevens shared an image with the woman on the business’ Facebook page.

He said: “She was very much a keen regular at Rio Bingo, every week without fail you would see her at the hall raring to go.

“She’d often be one of the first customers in.

“She knows most people that come here. She’s very well liked and always very friendly. I know many people at Rio miss her coming and were very distressed when the collision happened.

“She seemed in very good spirits when I visited her on Monday, she has a lot of injuries, and she’ll be there for a while, but I think she’s hoping to be discharged before Christmas comes around.”

Rio Bingo offers retro, paper bingo games every week to anyone aged over 18, and has been going since 1937.

Mr Stevens said the woman is keen to return once she has recovered. He added: “Despite her injuries, she’s very happy and well looked after, and looking forward to going home.

“She says thank you to everyone that has sent well wishes, messages and offers of support.

“I’m hoping to see her again at the end of next week, after that she’ll hopefully be able to go home.”

A 19 year-old man was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving and failing to stop at the scene of a collision in relation to the incident.