POLICE have bailed three men arrested in connection with an alleged hit-and-run in Boscombe.

Officers were yesterday granted extra time to question two of the men, who have been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving.

A 25-year-old man from Hertfordshire was arrested on Saturday on the M3 in Hampshire, then a 23-year-old Bournemouth man at 2pm on Monday.

A 49-year-old man from Hertfordshire was also arrested, on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

The trio have been released on bail until the beginning of August pending further enquiries.

Emergency services were called to the serious injury crash in Christchurch Road, between the junctions of Knyveton Road and Knole Road, at 1.10am on Saturday, May 9.

A 42-year-old woman from the area died in the early hours of the morning after being involved in a collision with a white Peugeot 106 with the registration X844 LGD.

It is alleged that the car failed to stop at the scene and was found abandoned a short time later on Boscombe Overcliff Drive.

The woman's family are being supported by specially-trained family liaison officers.

The coroner has been notified.

A fourth man, aged 34 and from Bournemouth, was arrested on suspicion of driving offences but has been released without charge.

Traffic officers have joined forces with colleagues from the Major Crime Investigation Team (MCIT) as their inquiries continue. MCIT often becomes involved in major investigations.

Investigating officers have urged a number of potential witnesses to come forward, and it is believed that following the collision two men possibly connected with the incident subsequently met three women in the area and took taxis to an address near Boscombe Pier.

It is also believed that a taxi driver, who is not connected to the group, drove past the scene towards Boscombe around the time of the collision.

Police are also urging anyone who may have seen a white Peugeot 106 in the Boscombe area on the evening of Friday, May 8, before or after the collision to call 101.

Witnesses and anyone with information should call Dorset Police in confidence on 101 quoting incident number 9:23. Alternatively, call the free and anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.