A MAN has died after being hit by a car on the outskirts of Durham City.

Jason Stephenson, from New Brancepeth, was walking on the A690 on Friday when he was hit by a Ford Focus just before 11.30pm.

The 26-year-old, who was a porter at the Ramside Hotel, near Durham, was hit near the Belmont flyover on the westbound side of the road, which was closed for several hours while emergency services attended the scene.

He was taken to the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle with serious head injuries and remained in intensive care until Sunday (February 12)when he died from his injuries.

His sister Nicola described Mr Stephenson as "a beloved brother who was tragically taken from us too soon."

She added: "Although he is gone, he will never be forgotten.”

He is also survived by his girlfriend Tina.

The driver of the Focus, a 29 year old man from Durham City was treated for shock at the scene and his passenger, a 25 year old woman from Consett was uninjured.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information should call the collision investigation unit on 0191 375 2159 or Durham Police on 101, quoting incident 513 of February 10.