VILLAGERS have been left in shock following the death of a popular County Durham man 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 Bishop Auckland. Mr Taylor, who was due to turn 24 on June 4, 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 a former pupil of Staindrop Comprehensive and was well-known in the village of Cockfield.

One person who knew him said last night: "He was a carer to his dad, something he had done since he was a teenager, but was just about to start a new job in York.

"His girlfriend is the manager of a hotel there and had helped him get a job as a chef, which he was looking forward to starting."

It is understood Mr Taylor was affectionately nicknamed Mad Dog - a name he had adopted at school.

Another resident of the village said: "He was a very popular, happy-go-lucky lad and everyone is really shocked."

Anyone with information is asked to call 0345-6043043 ext 66735 or contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800555111.