THE family of the horse and trap driver who died in a hit-and-run accident have urged the other driver to come forward.

Wayne Walker, 33, of Springwell Village, Washington, Wearside, was driving his horse and trap on Washington Highway on Sunday, when it was involved in a collision with a Honda Accord.

The car driver left the scene and last night still had not come forward.

Yesterday, Wayne's father, Joe and his partner of five years, Deborah Jennings, broke their silence to appeal for the driver to come forward, so Wayne's body can be released for burial.

Miss Jennings, 26, said: "We cannot bury Wayne until this person is found or hands himself in."

She is being consoled along with the couple's two-year-old son, Nathan.

"We have a two-and-a-half year-old son who hasn't got a daddy any more," she said. "This person left Wayne dead on the side of the road and ran scared."

His father, Joe, 60, who worked with Wayne as a roofer, said: "Whoever is hiding this man should turn him in. He is not worth protecting."

There were four people in the Accord. Police detained a female passenger at the scene. The three other occupants fled on foot. Officers later arrested two males, but are still searching for the driver.

Sergeant Phil King, of Northumbria Police said he believes the driver is a Sunderland resident. Officers yesterday called at several Wearside addresses and warned those who were harbouring the fugitive to turn him in.

They believe that the Accord ploughed into the back of Mr Walker's trap as the driver tried to go past a silver coloured car that was in the outside lane of the dual carriageway.

Police are still keen to trace the occupants of the silver car. Anyone with information is asked to call 0191-454 7555, extension 66391.