VILLAGERS have been left in shock following the death of a Sunderland fan who died in a hit-and-run incident as he celebrated his club staying in the Premier League.

Michael Taylor, 23, from Staindrop, near Barnard Castle, County Durham, was struck while walking in Sunderland on Sunday.

Mr Taylor, known to many by his middle name of Lee, was due to celebrate his 24th birthday a week today. He had been on a bus trip to Sunderland on the night of the tragedy.

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.”

Yesterday, flowers and a Sunderland football shirt had been tied to the railings near the scene of the tragedy.

One message on the shirt read: “To our mate Lee, from the lads. RIP.”

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 in 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 Cockfield, where he lived for many years before moving to Staindrop.

He was a carer to his disabled father Keith, who he lived with.

Mandy Barron, landlady at the King’s Head, in Cockfield, where Mr Walker once worked, said: “He was lovely lad and had a lot of friends here in Cockfield.

“I know a lot of people knew him here and are very shocked to hear he died.”

Mr Walker was just about to start a job as a chef in York, where his girlfriend worked.

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

Anyone with information is asked to call 0345-6043043 ext 66735, or contact the charity Crimestoppers on 0800-555- 111.