THE family of a man who was killed in a 1986 hit and run is re-appealing for information in a final bid for closure as "somebody, somewhere, knows the person who did it".

The appeal comes after the 34th anniversary of Gary Britton's death, who was just 19, on September 13.

An inquest at the time ruled Gary's death as accidental as he was lying on Brinkburn Road, Darlington, when he was run over and sustained "horrific head injuries".

But the driver of the car, who did not stop at the scene, was never found.

The 19-year-old's "heartbroken" parents, who were told they could not bury Gary until the investigation was complete, died without closure.

The Northern Echo:

At the time, his father Victor pleaded for information. He said: "Whoever it is has got to come forward so we can end all this and we can have peace of mind."

Family members are now re-appealing for information and are keen to track down the woman who called the police to report the incident, which occurred between 2.15am and 2.25am.

Brother Gerald Britton said: "It's just neverending. We think about it all the time.

"I'll never stop trying to find out what really happened. All we want is closure, my mam and dad never got that."

Mr Britton, now 60, describes Gary as a typical teenager and "Jack the lad", who was once caught raving in an army uniform stolen from him.

The Northern Echo:

At the time of his death, Gary's girlfriend was pregnant – though unknown to him.

Son Phillip Jones, now 33, wishes his daughters could have met their grandfather.

He said: "Growing up all of your life with not knowing who your own dad is, or even having that chance to meet him? It really does hurt inside.

"I just try and paint this picture in my head of what people tell me what he was like and what he used to get up to. That is all I have to go on.

"There is somebody out there who has to live with what they did that night.

"Somebody, somewhere, knows the person who did it.

"That’s probably the worst part, knowing that the person responsible is walking around somewhere, not locked up in a cell where they should be while me and my family are left with this massive hole.

"I have two beautiful little daughters that never got the chance to meet there granddad and vice versa."

The Northern Echo:

Mr Britton says everyone's stories from the night were different, and that Gary was reportedly fighting with someone earlier that evening.

Plastic believed to be from the car was found at the scene outside Rumours nightclub, with police checking over 12,000 vehicles for a match.

Anyone with information should contact Mr Britton's daughter on Facebook by searching Jodie Britton, where they will also see the online appeal.