A hit-and-run driver left a family "devastated" and struggling to visit relatives for Christmas after fleeing a crash.

The driver apparently crashed into the back of a parked car in Watford Road, Croxley Green at 5.26am yesterday (December 21) before driving off, according to a witness.

Meenesh Mistry, who owns the damaged vehicle, has already spent two days of work annual leave trying to find the driver and deal with insurance.

At the same time, he and his wife have been struggling to find a hire car so they can still visit family for Christmas with their children.

The father to a five-year-old and an 18-month baby said: “We are obviously devasted. No one wants that to happen but this time of year it’s even worse.

“Hiring a car is so busy and we are still waiting for the insurance company.

“With this guy running away its going to cause us so much difficulty.

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“Its not a nice thing to happen to anybody and it’s not a nice thing for anybody to do."

The passer-by left their number and information about what happened on the windscreen to help find the driver.

After an appeal for information was posted on Facebook, a neighbour found doorbell-cam footage which appears to show the car getting hit at 5.26am.

Another neighbour added: “I think this guy stopped opposite my house, I have dark footage of him pulling at his front wing.”

Watford Observer: The damage to the carThe damage to the car (Image: Meenesh Mistry)

Others, who had not seen the incident, said it “looks bad” and was “such a shame” while a number of people wished the family good luck in tracing the driver.

Another added: “What awesome neighbours you are.”

The victim also thanked his neighbours and the person who left the note for their support, which he hopes will identify the driver.

“One thing is we have been so taken aback by the response from neighbours on Facebook,” he added.

"So hopefully we can find out who it was."

The incident was reported to Hertfordshire Constabulary's Cameras, Tickets and Collisions Unit.