AS Dorset Police release CCTV footage of a car they urgently want to trace over the hit-and-run killing of a Poole man, his grieving family has renewed its appeal for the public’s help.

Christopher Colegate, who would have celebrated his 70th birthday on January 26, was found seriously injured at the junction of Darbys Lane and Heath Avenue at 7.25pm on Friday December 13 and died in hospital.

In what police describe as a very significant development, they have released footage of a car being driven from the Darbys Lane crossroads along Heath Avenue towards Wimborne Road.

Bournemouth Echo:

Bournemouth Echo:

The disabled grandfather was on his way to the Oakdale Conservative Club and it was there that his wife Freda and daughters Tash Motton and Rachel Haywood appealed for the public’s help.

His daughters said the past weeks had been the most difficult of their lives and urged people to search their consciences.

“There’s someone out there who knows who did this,” said Tasha.

“I would urge them to think about it, if they can knock someone over and lock the door on it once, they could do it again. It could be their loved-one next.”

Rachel said: “It’s been eight weeks since our Dad was taken from us and the pain we are feeling still hasn’t gone away.

“Every Friday we re-live the events of that night.

“We need to know what happened.

“Why didn’t you stop and help our dad?

“Why did you leave him in the road to die?

“Please have the decency to put a stop to this uncertainty and call Dorset Police now.”

Tash asked: “Do you know who the driver was?

“Has your husband, wife, partner or friend felt the need to share this massive burden?

“Has their behaviour changed? If you have any suspicions, please get in touch.”

She said: “While nothing will ever bring Dad back, finding the person responsible for his death will bring some crumb of comfort.”

Rachel added: “We want people to search their consciences and think, ‘This was a nice man’. He didn’t deserve this.”

Urging people to share the footage on social media, Insp Matt Butler of Dorset Police traffic unit said: “This car is very significant to our enquiry.

“I would ask if anybody knows the car or the driver of the car, please make contact with us as a matter of urgency.”

A £1,000 reward is being offered by the Conservative Club and up to £1,000 from Crimestoppers who can be contacted on 0800 555111 or call Dorset Police on 101.