POLICE are seeking a lorry driver after a pedestrian was found dead on a city centre road.

Alex Kirkpatrick is believed to have been hit by a vehicle outside the Tyne Theatre and Opera House, in Westgate Road, Newcastle, early on Saturday.

Mr Kirkpatrick, 49, originally from Dumfries and Galloway in South-West Scotland, had been living in Summerhill Terrace, Newcastle.

He was found lying at the side of the road by a passing motorist at 1.30am on Saturday.

Police have appealed for information from anyone in the area at the time, prior to 1.30am on Saturday, who may have seen Mr Kirkpatrick.

Officers described him as a slightly unkempt, thin-built figure, wearing a hip-length brown corduroy jacket, blue jeans and a green-striped scarf.

Accident inquiry officers also want to speak to the driver of a rigid goods vehicle in Westgate Road at about 1.25am.

The vehicle had a dark cab and white box section, and police said the driver may have been unaware a collision had taken place.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police incident room, on 0191-214 6555, extension 62754.

* A man who was hit by a car after collapsing on a road through a medical condition was in a stable but life-threatening condition in hospital last night.

The 46-year-old pedestrian collapsed through what was described by police as a head complaint, near the entrance to EW Motor Services, in Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham, at 10.30am on Saturday.

A motorist leaving the premises, in a silver Citroen vehicle, turned left on to Delves Lane shortly afterwards.

Police said he was unaware anyone was in the road and appeared to have driven over the pedestrian's legs.

The victim was taken to the University Hospital of North Durham suffering a possible brain haemorrhage, or similar condition.

Doctors treating him confirmed he condition was caused by the initial collapse and the collision with the car led to bruising to both his legs.

Witnesses to the incident are asked to contact police on 0845 60 60 365.

* A 22-year-old man struck by a vehicle outside the Varsity pub, in Green Terrace, Sunderland, at about midnight on Saturday, was in a critical condition with head injuries in Newcastle General Hospital last night.

Witnesses to the accident are asked to contact police on 0191-454 7555, extension 66331.