THE family of an 83-year-old Second World War veteran killed in a hit and run 25 years ago have made a fresh appeal for information.

Charles Trueman, 83, died after being hit by a car in Hexham, Northumberland, as he walked back home from visiting his daughter's grave.

The driver of the vehicle fled the scene and the retired gardener was left with serious head injuries, later dying in hospital.

The incident happened just before 5pm on August 31, 1991, but no witnesses have ever come forward.

A blue Metro car was believed to be seen leaving the scene and a man rang Hexham Hospital on the evening of the incident to check on Mr Trueman's condition.

Mr Trueman's widow Rosina died ten years later, but daughter Elaine O'Neil and her five siblings have made a new appeal for information.

Mother-of-two Elaine, 56, said: "Our dad was a respected and very well-liked local man, well-known in the community, being born and bred in Hexham.

"This horrendous accident left his family devastated and also his many friends in the locality in a state of shock and disbelief that this could happen to such a decent man.

"We would be extremely grateful for any information that could help us understand the true course of events on that fateful day - this is not about finding someone to blame."

Northumbria Police said there were also sightings of a large dark saloon-style car that officers believe would have had to swerve to avoid the collision.

PC Derek Longstaff said: "There is not much to go on and we know it will be difficult to be able to trace those involved that day, but we will fully investigate any new leads that may bring some closure to those close to Charles.

"At least two vehicles are known to have been in the area at the time and we'd ask for the drivers of the blue Mini Metro and the dark saloon-style vehicle to contact us.

"One thing we do know is that a man rang Hexham Hospital the evening of the incident to check on Charles's condition. We would appeal directly to that person to get in touch with us.

"He may have been the driver and may have hit Charles by accident before fleeing the scene in sheer panic. Until we speak to that individual, there is no way of knowing what happened.

"Somebody also called the hospital to arrange for an ambulance to attend the scene following the incident. We do not know whether this was the same person, but they should do the right thing and call police.

"It is now time for whoever was driving that afternoon to take responsibility once and for all so we can get some answers for a family who have never been able to get over this tragic event."