A POLICE chief today issued a personal plea to the hit-and-run driver who killed a 34-year-old man and said: "Turn yourself in."

Officers are now certain that the vehicle which knocked down and killed Shaun Metcalfe in Oswaldtwistle on Saturday night was a red car, which stopped for a short time before leaving the scene.

A tyre mark was found on Mr Metcalfe's clothing and police were hoping forensic tests could reveal the make and model.

Today Det Supt Mick Gradwell appealed directly to the driver and said: "I believe you strongly considered staying at the scene and would urge you to contact us at the police station.

"We believe that will help the family of Mr Metcalfe come to terms with what has happened."

Mr Metcalfe, 34, of Ruskin Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, was knocked down in Blackburn Road at 3am yesterday. He was crossing the road after leaving the Hare and Hounds pub - where he worked every Saturday from 4pm till 8pm - with a friend.

Police initially said he was struck by a dark-coloured car travelling from Blackburn towards Accrington and that it stopped 40 yards up the road before driving off.

Officers are now certain the car was red and that it paused for a short time before setting off.

Mr Gradwell said there had been a very good response to the media appeals, helping police build a clearer picture of what happened.

He added: "We give the driver credit for stopping. It wasn't like someone who immediately drove off. They stopped and gave strong consideration to staying."

Officers were today continuing to study CCTV from the area for signs of a red car.

Mr Gradwell urged people to continue coming forward with information, but asked them to consider that the car would not have been left damaged by the crash.

He added: "We have had a good response to the media appeals with people ringing up and saying they have found cars parked in funny positions.

"It is unfortunate from our point of view that the car was not damaged. But anyone who thinks they have information should get in touch."

The death of Mr Metcalfe has left the community devastated and flowers are being placed at the scene.

Mr Gradwell said: "It is our job to try and trace the driver of the car and people being upset drives us to our job as professionally as we can."