A CYCLIST in hospital with a broken back says someone in a passing car pushed him off his bike deliberately.

Roofer Tony Barrett broke a vertebra and suffered neck and spinal injuries when he fell from his bike while cycling along Shire Lane, Keston, at around noon on October 21.

The 59-year-old, of Orchard Way, Beckenham, was taken by ambulance to the Princess Royal University Hospital, Farnborough, and put in a secure neck brace.

Mr Barrett, who took up cycling earlier this year, was out for a ride with a friend when the incident happened.

Gemma Graham, the daughter of Mr Barrett's 58-year-old partner Christine Graham, said: "Tony said it all happened very quickly and he didn't see the people in the car.

"A car went by him and he felt two hands push him. He is 100 per cent sure of that. He fell, hit his head and blacked out."

The 25-year-old mother-of-one, of Cray Valley Road, Orpington, said: "The doctor told him if he moves, he could be paralysed and unable to work again."

And the part-time nursery leader added: "We want to appeal for witnesses and to warn other cyclists in case this is a new craze, like happy slapping."

Mr Barrett's work colleague and cycling partner Bob Braggington, of Birchwood Avenue, Beckenham, was 200m further along Shire Lane waiting for his friend to catch up.

The 63-year-old builder said: "A lady in a car stopped and said there had been an accident, so I went back down the road and found my friend by the side of the road.

"I didn't take her number or any details. All I was concerned about was getting back down the road to see what happened."

He added: "Tony was pushed off his bike and was injured. A plain clothes policeman was with him and he called an ambulance.

"I didn't see the car which did this, which is the problem. If we can trace the lady who spoke to me and told me about it at the top of Shire Lane, she may have seen the car."

Mr Braggington says he has heard members of the Cycle Touring Club have also been pushed off their bikes.

Cycle Touring Club member Mickey Cooper, 65, from Herne Bay, said: "A couple of weeks ago, a veteran club member was riding his bike near The Spinning Wheel in Westerham when a car came past.

"Some Herbert shouted Get off the road' and pushed him into the bushes. He was shaken up and had scratches."

Bromley police are appealing for witnesses to call investigating officer Detective Sergeant James Herron on 020 8284 8844 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.