POLICE have called on a car driver to come forward after a County Durham man was killed in a hit-and-run incident.

The victim, who was struck while walking in Sunderland on Sunday night, has yet to be publicly identified.

However, he is understood to be 23-year-old Michael Taylor, also known as Lee, from Cockfield, near Barnard Castle. He had been on a bus trip to Sunderland on the night of the collision.

A spokesman for Northumbria Police said the incident happened between 10.55pm and 11.20pm in West Wear Street.

A vehicle has collided with a 23-year-old man and then made off from the scene, he said. The pedestrian died as a result of his injuries.

Police say they are looking for a driver who spoke to officers some time after the incident and then left without giving any further details.

"Police are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision and in particular wish to hear from to the man who was driving on West Wear Street/High Street East who stopped and spoke to officers dealing with another incident and informed them of a person lying in the road," the spokesman said.

Mr Taylor is believed to have been a former pupil of Staindrop Comprehensive and was well-known in the village of Cockfield. He was understood to be a fan of Darlington Football Club.

One resident said the news had left everyone very upset.

He was a very popular, happy-go-lucky lad and everyone is really shocked, he said.

Anyone with information is asked to call 03456043043 ext 66735 or contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800555111.