HIT-and-run victim Julie Bloodworth last night spoke out for the first time about her ordeal after being released from hospital.

The brave 47-year-old said although her attacker had tried to ruin her life, she was determined to fight back.

Julie spoke as her daughter made an impassioned plea to help find those responsible.

The mum-of-three said: "Thank God I am here for Mothering Sunday.

"My kids are not burying me but on Sunday they will be giving me cards and presents. If it was malicious they could not have done a worse job on me.

"I have lost my looks, I have to start my life again because of what they did. They have ruined me but I am a fighter."

Julie was released from Frenchay Hospital, Bristol, on Wednesday, and is now in rehabilitation for her terrible injuries. It is a miracle how she survived a broken skull and holes in her left shoulder and her back. She was left three broken ribs, ligament damage to her left leg, and part of her left ear is missing.

She added: "I don't let many things get me down and certainly not the person who did this to me.

"I will get the better of them."

Speaking exactly one month after her mum was believed to have been hit by a car and dragged several hundred yards, Julie's 14-year-old daughter Jinny-Mae urged anyone with information to come forward.

The Archway schoolgirl said: "They just cannot get away with it. They have not just hurt my mum, they have hurt my family and friends. I saw her the second day she was in hospital, it was very shocking."

Julie had been celebrating her 47th birthday when she was hit at around 10pm on Saturday, February 13.

Police believe she was hit in Brick Row, not far from her home, and dragged to the Parliament Street car park where a passer-by discovered her and raised the alarm.

Julie is also mum to sons Bobby, 24, Ricky, 27, and will treasure Mother's Day tomorrow.

Medics told Julie's sisters Caroline Dangerfield, 44, Tina Werrett, 52, and Lynda Dangerfield, 50, twice that she could have died, and she was put in to an induced coma to help her survive.

Lynda said her sister amazed medics at Frenchay.

She said: "I think she has shocked everyone. They can hardly believe her recovery.

"Jinny-Mae is a fighter too, she is staying very strong for her mum."

Julie grew up in Stroud and attended Minchinhampton Primary School and Eastcombe Manor School (now Thomas Keble), worked at the former H&L Motorcycles shop, and ran her own business, The Beehive takeaway in Cainscross. She also worked as a carer.

Police continue to appeal for anyone who knows anything about the incident to come forward.

CCTV footage from Parliament Street has uncovered no clues so far.

Two women captured on camera have came forward but they did not hold any significant information.

"Our investigation into this incident is ongoing and we continue to encourage anyone who was in the area on the evening to get in touch," said a police spokeswoman. "We also remain eager to hear from the driver of a light coloured Renault Laguna that was seen passing Stroud police station on Parliament Street around the time of the incident."

Gloucestershire Constabulary can be contacted on 0845 090 1234. Alternatively call Crimestoppers.