A PEDESTRIAN who died after being hit by a car as he crossed a village road was today named by police as Brian Ainscough.

The 30-year-old man from Wordsworth Avenue, in Wheatley Hill, County Durham, died shortly after arrival at North Tees Hospital, Stockton, following yesterday's accident.

He was struck by a Citroen Picasso as he was making his way across the B1279 in Shotton Colliery, County Durham.

The car driver, a 19-year-old man from nearby Thornley, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

After being interviewed about the incident he was released by police pending further investigation into the circumstances of the collision.

The accident took place as the green Picasso was heading eastwards on the B1279, approximately quarter of a mile west of its junction with Salters Lane, at around 3pm.

Anyone who witnesses the accident is asked to contact the Durham Police collision investigation unit on 0191-3752159.