70-year diplomat was knocked to the ground by the driver of a car with British number plates, who then fled the scene.

Claude de Hennin de Boussu Walcourt said the hit-and-run incident came after he warned the mother of a small boy that it was not safe he went away and went inside but when he emerged later a man approached with a dog on a lead. "He began to shout insults in English and threatened violence. It was horrible," said the honorary consul, who has lived in Mijas, near Malaga, for 41 years.A consular staff member saw the altercation and called police. But before they could arrived the man got into a car."The man was in his forties, about 5'9" and strongly built," Mr de Hennin described the man to police."He got into a car with British number plates and when I tried to get him to wait until the local Civil Guard arrived, he drove at me and knocked me over."The diplomat suffered bruises to his leg and right arm and was treated at a local clinic.