A POOLE Conservative Club has offered a £1,000 reward for information about the driver involved in the tragic hit and run crash which killed pensioner Chris Colegate.

Officers were called at 7.25pm on Friday 13 December 2013 to the collision at the junction of Darby’s Lane and Heath Avenue in Poole where a pedestrian had been left fatally injured in the road.

Christopher Colegate, 69, from Poole, was tragically struck by a vehicle which failed to stop at the scene.

He suffered significant injuries and was taken to Poole Hospital but sadly later died.

Mr Colegate was frail, walked with a distinctive stoop and used two walking sticks to aid his mobility. He was making his way to Oakdale Conservative Club in Darby’s Lane in Poole when he was struck.

On Friday, members of Oakdale Conservative Club offered a reward of £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and charge of an offender.

Chairman Bob Barnes said: “Like the rest of the local community we are really saddened by this incident.

“Chris Colegate was a regular at the club and had many friends here. We all miss him dearly.

“We urge anyone with any information about this tragic collision to do the right thing and contact Dorset Police. No matter how small, your information could be the missing piece of the jigsaw.”

A dedicated team of officers from Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit are investigating the incident and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Police Sergeant Stuart Pitman, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “I am still keen to speak to the drivers of two vehicles that were in the area at the time of the collision. A Honda Civic-type vehicle travelling from Darby’s Lane into Popes Road and a medium sized light-coloured family car which travelled along Heath Avenue toward Wimborne Road at speed. I urge these drivers to come forward so we can eliminate you from the investigation.

“I would also like to trace a male pedestrian walking along Darby’s Lane toward Johnston Road who passed Mr Colegate shortly before the collision. This pedestrian was wearing a grey hooded top with the hood up.”

A silver BMW 3 Series car that travelled along Wimborne Road, right into Dorchester Road and left into Darby’s Lane has been traced.

The Crimestoppers charity has also offered a reward of up to £1,000 for information leading to the arrest and charge of an offender.

Members of the public will only be eligible for this cash reward if they call the Crimestoppers line on 0800 555111.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 13:478.

Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111 where mobile phone tariffs may apply.