POLICE have launched a nationwide manhunt for the driver of a car which killed a Bury pensioner.

Officers this week confirmed they have identified a suspect who may have been at the wheel of the Toyota Corolla GTi when it hit 73-year-old William Armstead outside Fairfield General Hospital eight days ago.

Mr Armstead suffered multiple injuries and died hours later despite emergency surgery.

The Toyota, with the registration number G180 OBA, was found abandoned in Gladstone Street, Bury, shortly after the hit and run collision on Thursday (March 14) of last week. Police said the vehicle had not been reported stolen.

Witnesses said the car was being driven by a young Asian man but despite intensive inquiries the offender has so far evaded capture. Police have not yet made the suspect's identity public.

A spokesman for Bury's Traffic Unit, which is heading the investigation, said: "We have identified a suspect and efforts are being made to locate him.

"We also need to speak to the owner of the Toyota in a bid to eliminate him from our inquiries."

Police forces across the country have been asked to help in tracing the owner and the driver of the car.

Mr Armstead's wife, Evelyn, is still coming to terms with the tragedy and was this week being comforted by family and friends.

Witnesses have reported how Mr Armstead was thrown into the air as he was struck by the car while crossing Rochdale Old Road, close to its junction with Castle Hill Road around 8.40am.

Police closed off the road for a while, causing long tailbacks and disruption to appointments at Fairfield Hospital.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the Toyota owner or driver is asked to contact Bury Traffic Unit on 0161 856 8073 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.