POLICE have renewed appeal into a collision which claimed the life of a pensioner on Christmas Eve.

Alan Dunn, 67, of Cotsford Crescent, Horden, County Durham, was hit by a grey Nissan Micra on the village's A1086 Sunderland Road at 8am on Monday, December 24.

He was certified dead at the scene of the accident about 300m south of Sunderland Road’s junction with Thorpe Road.

The car was driven by a 19-year-old woman from Peterlee, who was shocked but unhurt.

Mr Dunn, who lived locally had been walking along the footpath and had just gone past a pedestrian crossing when he stepped onto the road, he was hit by the car.

PC Kevin Kitson said: "At this stage we have been unable to trace any independent witnesses.

“This is slightly surprising as at that time of day we would expect there to have been other people around.

“It might be that some potential witnesses intended to contact the police, but perhaps with Christmas and New Year they have been busy or they might have been away from the area.”

He added: "We would urge anyone who might have seen Mr Dunn as he walked along the street to call us, so we can complete our investigations."

Anyone with information should contact the collision unit on 0191-375-2159 or Durham police on the non-emergency number 101.