A HIT and run victim has died just two weeks before the birth of his first grandchild.

Mr John Crompton suffered head and chest injuries when he was hit by a car on Sunday of last week. The vehicle had earlier been reported stolen.

Mr Crompton was diagnosed brain dead on Friday. Doctors at the Royal Preston Infirmary advised his family to withdraw life-support and he died shortly afterwards.

His eldest son, Phil, and wife Suzanne yesterday told how the 56-year-old retired engineer was looking forward to the birth of his grandchild.

Suzanne said: "He was a doting, caring father of three. It is tragic that his daughter Andrea's first child will never know him."

Mr Crompton was rushed to Bury General Hospital after the accident close to the Elton Fold Working Men's Club in Leigh Lane. He was transferred to Preston's intensive care unit where surgeons performed brain surgery. He never regained consciousness.

A committee member at the Elton Fold Club, Mr Crompton of Byron Street, Bury, was a member of Elton Cricket Club, which he had visited on the night of the accident. His family remained by his hospital bed until he died.

Suzanne, a mobile hairdresser, said: "His injuries were so horrific. You couldn't recognise John.

"I am very angry abpout what has happened while Phil has remained very calm. However, everyone has been brilliant including the police and hospital staff and all of John's many friends who have offered such wonderful support."

A Home Office pathologist yesterday carried out a post mortem on Mr Crompton to establish the full extent of his injuries.

Two 15-year-old boys will appear before Bury Magistrates on Thursday (August 3).

Detectives in Bury were last night due to hold new interviews with the two juveniles in the light of Mr Crompton's death. Both could face new charges of causing death by reckless driving on top of the existing matters of aggravated taking of a motor vehicle and other motoring offences.