A REWARD of up to £1,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and charge of a suspect in the Christopher Colegate hit-and-run case.

The 69-year-old Poole grandfather, who used two walking sticks, was struck by a vehicle at the junction of Darby’s Lane and Heath Avenue, Poole, last Friday (Dec 13) evening.

Inspector Matt Butler, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, has urged the driver to come forward immediately. “This will not go away, we will find you,” he stressed.

The reward is being offered by the Crimestoppers charity.

Police have released details of three cars they want to trace, which were spotted in the area around the same time of the fatal collision.

They’re also anxious to speak to other potential witnesses, in particular a male pedestrian who passed Mr Colegate as the victim walked along Darby’s Lane moments before being struck.

Officers were called to the scene at 7.25pm. Mr Colegate was later pronounced dead at Poole Hospital.

His devastated family have called for the driver to come forward and speak to police.

Inspector Matt Butler, of Dorset Police’s Traffic Unit, said: “I urge the driver involved in this collision to please do the right thing and get in touch. This has caused Mr Colegate’s family great distress.

“We know the driver would have been aware of the collision and I urge him or her to get in touch with us immediately.”

Investigators want to speak to the driver of a silver family-sized car, spotted travelling along Darby’s Lane toward Johnston Road around the same time of the incident. They also want information on a similar-sized car that turned right from Darby’s Lane into Heath Avenue, and a car that left Darby’s Lane into Popes Road.

The pedestrian, who walked past Mr Colegate towards Johnston Road, was wearing a hooded top with the hood up.

A small ‘city car’ that was seen travelling in the area has been traced by police.

Contact Dorset Police on 101 quoting incident number 13:478, Members of the public will only be eligible for the cash reward if they call the Crimestoppers Line – on 0800 555 111 - with information leading to the charge of a suspect.