A two-hour operation mended Paul's right leg

Paul Howgate, of Boynton Road, Shirecliffe, Sheffield, is recovering in the city's Children's Hospital after being hit by a car.

He received severe bruising to the head and a broken right thigh bone, and required a two-hour operation to fit a metal plate in his leg.

Her had managed to get through security gates at Busk Meadows Nursery on Shirecliffe Road, Shirecliffe, without being seen.

The little boy then tried to make his way home, on Thursday 15 May.

His mother Paula, 27, was alerted to the accident and rushed to the scene, finding Paul screaming and crying.

Security check

She told BBC Look North: "My first thought was that he was dead."

"I just feel angry and upset - it shouldn't have happened at all.

She added: "They should have kept a closer eye on him and kept the door shut."

Doctors have told Mrs Howgate that Paul will have to learn how to walk again as one of his legs will be longer than the other.

Sheffield Council's executive director of education Jonathan Crossley-Holland said: "A thorough and comprehensive investigation of the accident will be undertaken by council officers who will look at all aspects of safety at the nursery.