POLICE today named a pensioner who died after he was knocked down by a car in Burnley Road, Padiham.

Douglas Wilkinson, 77, known as Duggie to his friends, was walking from his home in Hapton Street towards the bus stop when he was hit by a green Honda Civic on Sunday night.

The father of three later died from his injuries at Burnley General Hospital.

Traffic police closed the road for two hours to investigate the scene and have appealed for witnesses.

Police said Mr Wilkinson crossed the busy road near the junction with Hambledon Street and the One Stop convenience store at 7.35pm as he made his way to the Tim Bobbin pub.

The lights on the pedestrian crossing were out due to nearby roadworks.

After talking to the Honda driver, police said they would also like to talk to the drivers of a white transit van taxi and a purple Renault Clio, as well as anyone who saw the green Honda before the accident.

Sergeant Russ Gregory, of Colne Road Policing Unit, said: "We are appealing for witnesses who may have seen the car involved in the collision earlier in the evening so we can put together a picture of exactly what happened."

Anyone with information should contact police on 01282 472431.

l Detectives were today continuing a witness appeal after a man was killed as he walked along the A671 Whalley Road, Read.

Michael Crossley, 33, of Rochdale, was hit by a Ford Mondeo at 11.30pm on Saturday. His death was the fourth on the road in the last five years.

Witnesses should call the road policing unit on 01254 353767.