THE family of a man who killed a pensioner in a hit-and-run smash today apologised for the misery he caused to the victim's relatives.

Mohammed Shafi, 68, today expressed his regret after his son Zahid Shafi was sentenced to four years in jail at Burnley Crown Court for knocking down 71-year-old John Fallows.

He said: "My family and myself offer the deepest heart-felt condolences over the sad death of Mr Fallows, which was the result of a most unfortunate accident. This incident has shaken both families with severe pain and grief.

"When my son left the house that evening he had no intention of hurting anyone.

"We have told his children that their dad is on holiday and he tries to phone them every day. All we can do now is look to the future and offer our apologies on our son's behalf."

Shafi, 39, of Colne Road, Burnley, admitted causing death by dangerous driving and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

The court heard the father-of-two took his car to Summit Auto Repairs, in Burnley, where workers contacted police after spotting blood on the vehicle.

His wife Shandana Shafi, 23, said: "We are still shocked and upset. Zahid was absolutely devastated when the police came round and told him he had hit someone.

"He was full of remorse and just wanted to go round to the Fallows family to apologise, but was prevented from doing so for legal reasons. It has been a heart-breaking time for us as well - both families have really suffered."

Shafi's sentence has left family members running his wholesale business, Manchester Clothing Company Ltd. Mrs Shafi added: "We are really missing him and the business will really struggle without him.

"I was pregnant with Safiyyah, now six-months-old, when the accident occurred and because of the stress had to go into a premature labour as her health was at risk.

She was only four-and-a-half pounds when she was born. It makes me so sad to think my children could be without their father for the next four years."

Mr Fallows' daughter, Valerie Ainsworth, of Healdwood Drive, Burnley, said: "I know his family have been put through a lot and that he has upset them too.

"I know they feel sorry about what has happened but the apology should have come from him. He had the chance to apologise for what he did right through the court case, but he didn't."